Yamal, Raphinha fire Barca past Benfica into Champions League last eight

FC Barcelona’s Raphinha celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates during their Champions League — Round of 16 — Second Leg — match against Benfica — Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, Barcelona, Mar. 11, 2025. (Reuters)
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Updated 11 March 2025
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Yamal, Raphinha fire Barca past Benfica into Champions League last eight

  • Hansi Flick’s side will face Borussia Dortmund or Lille in the quarter-finals
  • “We are candidates to win everything,” Raphinha told Movistar, with the club in the hunt for a potential treble

BARCELONA: Lamine Yamal and Raphinha dazzled as Barcelona thumped Benfica 3-1 on Tuesday, reaching the Champions League quarter-finals 4-1 on aggregate.
Raphinha netted either side of a stunning Yamal strike as the Catalans dominated in the first half, building on their 1-0 last 16, first leg win in Lisbon.
Nicolas Otamendi had quickly levelled Raphinha’s opener but the visitors were blown away at the Olympic Stadium as Barcelona progressed comfortably from the tie and produced some moments of brilliant attacking football.
Hansi Flick’s side will face Borussia Dortmund or Lille in the quarter-finals as they aim to win the competition for the first time since 2015 and the era of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez.
“We are candidates to win everything,” Raphinha told Movistar, with the club in the hunt for a potential treble.
“For me the most important thing is what we did as a team and I am very happy with this victory,” he continued, before praising teenager Yamal.
“His goal was spectacular, it shows what Lamine is — he’s a spectacular player with tremendous quality.”
Flick said Barca would play for late club doctor Carles Minarro, who died suddenly on Saturday ahead of the team’s match against Osasuna, which was postponed, and the players observed a silence in his honor before kick-off.
“What happened made us arrive at this game even more determined to win,” added Raphinha.
Five-time Champions League winners Barca took the lead after 11 minutes when Spain international Yamal burst into the area, chopped his way past Florentino and then mishit the ball across to Raphinha for a simple finish.
Benfica levelled within two minutes when Otamendi escaped Ronald Araujo to head home from a corner.
Barcelona goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny excelled in the first leg as the Catalans claimed an impressive win with 10 men after Pau Cubarsi’s red card, but might have done more to keep out Otamendi’s effort.
However Barcelona, and particularly their wingers Yamal and Raphinha, were in sensational form and they quickly reclaimed their lead.
Yamal netted his first goal in seven matches, but it was worth the wait, with the 17-year-old cutting in from the right and arcing a sensational shot past Anatoliy Trubin and in at the far post from the edge of the box.
Raphinha grabbed his second before the break to give Barcelona a three-goal aggregate lead after a blistering run by Alejandro Balde.
The left-back won the ball back in his area and sliced open the Portuguese team on the counter, carrying it to the edge of Benfica’s area before teeing up Raphinha.
It was the winger’s 11th strike of the competition and he leads the scoring charts.
Bruno Lage’s side were without injured midfielder Angel Di Maria but even with him beating Flick’s Barca on this form would have been a difficult ask.
Fredrik Aursnes netted for Benfica in the second half but the goal was disallowed for offside against Vangelis Pavlidis, who scored a hat-trick as Barca won 5-4 in their first meeting this season, in the league stage in January.
For the most part Benfica struggled to trouble Szczesny, and Barcelona came close to scoring a fourth when Frenkie de Jong poked wide on the stretch at the end of a razor-sharp team move.
Barcelona now await their quarter-final opponent and can start preparing to visit Atletico Madrid in La Liga on Sunday, in a huge clash in the Spanish title race.


CONMEBOL eases Copa America warm-up rules after Brazil’s complaints

Updated 18 July 2025
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CONMEBOL eases Copa America warm-up rules after Brazil’s complaints

  • “This decision was made after a detailed assessment of the condition,” said CONMEBOL
  • Tournament organizers had barred outfield players from warming up on the pitch

BUENOS AIRES: CONMEBOL announced on Friday that it has adjusted pre-match procedures at the Women’s Copa America in Ecuador to allow players to warm up on the pitch, following criticism from Brazilian players and coaching staff.

“From now on, in addition to goalkeepers who already had a 15-minute warm-up period on the field, outfield players will also be allowed to warm up on the pitch for the same duration,” the South American soccer governing body told Reuters.

“This decision was made after a detailed assessment of the condition of the playing surfaces at the competition’s stadiums to date, and after taking into account feedback from some participating teams.”

Tournament organizers had barred outfield players from warming up on the pitch to preserve the playing surface, with each stadium hosting two matches in a day during the group stage.

Brazil captain Marta, midfielder Ary Borges, and head coach Arthur Elias voiced their frustration after their dominant group-stage win over Bolivia, as both teams had been forced to warm-up in a shared room of about 15 square meters that smelled of paint.

They also criticized the restrictions after their tournament opener against Venezuela, saying they were unable to properly assess Kerolin’s fitness, which ultimately led to the Manchester City striker being sidelined.

Defending champions Brazil top Group B with two wins and will face Paraguay on Tuesday.


Tickets for Canelo Alvarez, Terence Crawford super middleweight title clash go on sale

Updated 18 July 2025
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Tickets for Canelo Alvarez, Terence Crawford super middleweight title clash go on sale

  • Blockbuster Riyadh Season showdown will take place at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Sept. 13.
  • ‘Fight is about legacy,’ says Alvarez ahead of bout with undefeated rival

RIYADH/LAS VEGAS: Undisputed super middleweight champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez will face undefeated four-division world champion Terence Crawford in a blockbuster Riyadh Season showdown at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 13.

Tickets for the clash are now available via Ticketmaster.com, with a purchase limit of eight per person, it was announced on Friday.

VIP packages from On Location, the event’s official experience provider, are also on sale, offering fans ringside photo access, all-inclusive hospitality, the official fight poster, an afterparty, and more.

The high-stakes bout will be promoted in collaboration between Turki Alalshikh, chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority and president of the Saudi Boxing Federation, UFC President Dana White, and Saudi events company Sela.

The event will be streamed live globally on Netflix, available to all 300 million subscribers at no additional cost.

Fans can visit tudum.com/cvc to set a reminder to watch. New users can sign up at netflix.com/signup.

Alvarez (63-2-2, 39 KOs), a legend of the sport and native of Guadalajara, Mexico, has captured titles across multiple weight classes and defeated elite names, including Shane Mosley, Gennady Golovkin, and Miguel Cotto.

He is now turning his attention to Crawford.

“This fight is about legacy. I’ve faced the best, and now it’s time to show the world why I’m still at the top. Crawford is a great fighter, but on Sept. 13, I will remind everyone who Canelo is,” he said.

Crawford (41-0, 31 KOs), from Omaha, Nebraska, is the current WBA and interim WBO middleweight champion.

He recently made a dominant debut at 154 pounds, defeating Israil Madrimov, and is aiming to secure the defining win of his career.

“I’ve always said I’m the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world,” he said. “Beating Canelo, on the biggest stage, under the brightest lights, that’s how I prove it. I respect him, but I’m coming to make history.”


Usyk at career heaviest for title fight with Dubois

Updated 18 July 2025
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Usyk at career heaviest for title fight with Dubois

  • Dubois was only 16st 9lbs for his 2023 defeat by Usyk, a ninth-round stoppage loss, in Poland
  • Usyk said: “For me it is a great opportunity for my people and for my country“

LONDON: Multiple world champion Oleksandr Usyk will head into his undisputed heavyweight title bout with Daniel Dubois in London on Saturday in arguably the strongest shape of his career.

Friday’s weigh-in for the Wembley clash saw reigning WBA, WBO and WBC champion Usyk tip the scales at a career-heaviest weight of 16st 3lbs (102.97 kg), a pound more than the Ukrainian weighed for his second win over Tyson Fury in December.

IBF belt-holder Dubois, meanwhile, was more trim than for his victory over British rival Anthony Joshua after he came in 17st 6lbs (110.67 kg) in comparison to 17st 10lbs (112.49 kg) back in September.

Dubois was only 16st 9lbs for his 2023 defeat by Usyk, a ninth-round stoppage loss, in Poland.

He promised a largely pro-Usyk crowd on Friday he would win by any means necessary before one final stare-down, to a background of music from the film Rocky Balboa.

“I’m locked in, I’m focused and I can’t wait,” Dubois said.

“I am going to win by any means necessary.”

Usyk said: “For me it is a great opportunity for my people and for my country.”

Yet to lose in 23 professional fights, Usyk is hoping to become an undisputed champion for the third time.

Dubois has won his three fights since losing to Usyk, including a victory over Joshua and at 27 is 11 years younger than the 38-year-old Ukrainian.

But, on Thursday, Usyk dismissed suggestions his age would count against him at Wembley this weekend.

“Listen, I respect this guy (Dubois), this young guy. This guy is motivated but I am too. I am not an old guy. 38 is not old, you know? We will see on Saturday.”

Lennox Lewis was the last Briton to hold undisputed status in the heavyweight division in 1999.


Charging Scheffler closes on British Open lead

Updated 18 July 2025
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Charging Scheffler closes on British Open lead

  • The world number one brushed aside a brief heavy rain shower to pour in four birdies
  • Matthew Fitzpatrick was also four-under on the day through 11 holes

PORTRUSH, UK: Scottie Scheffler ignited his bid for a maiden British Open title by surging to within one shot of the clubhouse lead held by 2023 champion Brian Harman and China’s Li Haotong at Royal Portrush on Friday.

The world number one brushed aside a brief heavy rain shower to pour in four birdies on the front nine of his second round and reach seven-under for the tournament.

Matthew Fitzpatrick was also four-under on the day through 11 holes and tied at the top of the leaderboard alongside Harman and China’s Li.

Home favorite Rory McIlroy carded a two-under par 69 to reach three-under for the tournament, five strokes off the pace, as he continues his bid for a second Claret Jug.

Scheffler struggled off the tee on Thursday but still carded a first-round 68 to sit one stroke off the overnight lead.

He got his second round off to a flying start with a first-hole birdie in driving rain.

The PGA Championship winner then reeled off three consecutive birdies from the fifth hole, including a 34-foot putt down the hill on the par-three sixth.

Harman, who won by six shots at Hoylake two years ago, started with consecutive birdies before another on the par-five seventh hole took him into the outright lead.

The American completed a bogey-free 65, the joint-best round of the week so far, with his sixth birdie of the day on the 18th green.

“The only thing I’m really worried about is the first tee ball tomorrow, and then I’ll try to hit the next one up there close to the flag,” said Harman.

“If not, go to the second hole. It’s a very boring approach that I take. I’m not trying to be heroic or do anything crazy.”

Li is bidding to become the first Chinese man to win a major championship and he made five birdies in a second consecutive round of 67.

He came close to edging ahead of Harman, but saw a birdie putt on the 18th agonizingly slip by the hole.

McIlroy, who only made two of 14 fairways on Thursday, delighted the crowds surrounding the opening hole with a birdie to immediately move to two-under after his first-round 70.

His roller-coaster tournament continued, with bogeys on the third and fifth holes sandwiching another birdie on four, as his errant driving prevented him from taking full advantage of excellent scoring conditions.

But the Northern Irishman found his groove late in his round, making two birdies in his final seven holes to stay in touch.

“I feel like I maybe could be a couple closer to the lead, but overall in a decent position heading into the weekend,” said Masters champion McIlroy.

Robert MacIntyre, hoping to become the first Scottish major champion since Paul Lawrie in 1999, cruised into contention with a 66 to reach five-under.

MacIntire is level in the clubhouse with Englishman Tyrrell Hatton, also seeking a maiden major title, and Danish youngster Rasmus Hojgaard.

Two-time US Open champion Bryson DeChambeau bounced back from his disastrous first-round 78 by matching Harman’s second round with a spectacular 65.

DeChambeau appeared set to miss the cut for a second straight British Open when he bogeyed the 11th to slip back to five-over, with the projected cut line at plus two.

But the American found four birdies in his final seven holes.

“I wanted to go home. But I woke up this morning and I said, ‘You know what, I can’t give up’,” said DeChambeau.


Club Championship finals set for second weekend of Esports World Cup in Riyadh

Updated 18 July 2025
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Club Championship finals set for second weekend of Esports World Cup in Riyadh

  • Saudi’s Team Falcons could end the weekend in first place, with rosters competing in 4 competitions

RIYADH: As the second weekend of the Esports World Cup finals in Riyadh beckons, the Club Championship has already started to take shape.

So far Gen.G Esports, Team Heretics, DetonatioN FocusMe, BMW M Team Redline, Red Bull Sim Racing and VK GAMING are the sides out in front, each with 1,000 Club points.

However, their positions could still come under threat in the coming days. Saudi Arabia’s Team Falcons might end the weekend in first place, with rosters competing in multiple games in the coming days.

But with Gen.G a firm favorite in League of Legends, they too are in a strong position to stand alone at the top of the table come Monday. With plenty more Club Championship points on offer, it is still anyone’s game.

League of Legends

One of the biggest titles to take place during the EWC is underway, and an incredible knockout competition is expected.

The first day of League of Legends action had two sides head home: North American Cloud9 and Vietnamese team GAM Esports.

While many teams have clawed their way through to the knockout stage, 2024 Esports World Cup Champions T1 will join the fray on July 18 to defend their title, and truly test the mettle of their rivals.

Aside from T1, the only side that finished in the top four in last year’s competition and is represented this year is Europe’s G2 Esports. The League of Legends EMEA Championship team secured a spot in the knockout stage after a 2-0 finish on day one.

With some exciting matchups ahead of the final this weekend, there are many upsets expected.

Dota 2

Dota 2’s epic two weeks of action finally conclude this weekend with a $3 million prize pool on the line.

Team Spirit and PVISION are locked in for the semifinals after victories in the quarterfinals, with more teams set to join them in the coming days. But some big names are already eliminated.

The 2024 champions Gaimin Gladiators have fallen in fifth to eighth place, meaning a new champion will be crowned in 2025. And with all the top seeded teams qualifying for the playoffs, the title race is wide open.

Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Women’s Invitational

The Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Women’s Invitational concludes this week on July 19.

At the end of play on July 16, Team Liquid, Natus Vincere PH, ONIC Pertiwi Team, and Team Vitality have secured their slots in the playoffs. With just two days of competition, things are moving fast, with eight sides knocked out.

Now in its second year as a part of the EWC roster, the MLBB MWI features a $500,000 prize pool and presents a truly massive stage for women stars.

Team Vitality have been the most impressive, not dropping a single game so far. They also set a record for the fastest game in MWI history with 9 minutes, 38 seconds, but NAVI topped them by 1 second a few days later.

Free Fire

Mobile title Free Fire at the 2025 Esports World Cup kicked off with six fast-paced maps, setting the tone for what is shaping up to be a wide-open fight for the championship.

After day one, Team Falcons lead the standings with the Thai roster showcasing dominance, but a resurgence from the Brazilian teams including paiN Gaming and Fluxo mean everything is still in play.

However, as with Apex Legends in week one, anything can happen when it comes to battle royale titles and one good day is not enough to secure a trophy.

With the action closing on July 20, there is plenty of time for more surprises and upsets. And with Free Fire players known for their brash antics, there could be some drama in the closing stages.