‘Sure bet’ Zubimendi can replace injured Rodri: Spain coach

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente backed midfielder Martin Zubimendi on Friday to deputise for injured star Rodri Hernandez in the months ahead. (AP/File)

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Updated 11 October 2024

AFP

October 11, 2024 22:06

‘Sure bet’ Zubimendi can replace injured Rodri: Spain coach

“If Rodri is the best player then Zubimendi is the second best in this position,” De la Fuente told a news conference
“He’s got experience under his belt, he oozes security through every pore of his skin”

Updated 11 October 2024

AFP

October 11, 2024 22:06

MADRID: Spain coach Luis de la Fuente backed midfielder Martin Zubimendi on Friday to deputise for injured star Rodri Hernandez in the months ahead.
Manchester City’s Rodri, a key player for his country, suffered a severe knee injury in September and will be out for the rest of the season.
Rodri was vital in holding midfield as Spain clinched Euro 2024 victory this summer but Real Sociedad midfielder Zubimendi, 25, also made a big impact in the final.
Zubimendi replaced the injured Rodri at half-time against England in the Berlin final as La Roja triumphed 2-1 with two goals after the break.
“Zubimendi has been playing (brilliant) games for a long time, if Rodri is the best player then Zubimendi is the second best in this position,” De la Fuente told a news conference.
“He’s got experience under his belt, he oozes security through every pore of his skin.
“Martin doesn’t get nervous... he’s a very mature player, so calm... Zubi is a sure bet, who never fails.”
Nations League champions Spain, second in group A4, host leaders Denmark on Saturday in Murcia, before welcoming Serbia to Cordoba on Tuesday.
They are also without Real Madrid right-back Dani Carvajal, who is also set to miss the season with a knee injury, and explosive winger Nico Williams with a minor knock, among others.
“We’re not going to cry, we’re not going to make excuses about missing players, the ones who are here are very good too, also the best (players in the world) for me,” continued the coach.
“Whoever is playing tomorrow in the place of Nico, or Rodri, or Dani, are absolutely great... they will give us more tactical richness.
“We’re not going to change anything in terms of our plan or our idea of football... the idea is very clear.”
De la Fuente said injuries were the “ugliest” part of football, but they also created opportunities.
“Nobody is irreplacable... those who get the chance, albeit for unfortunate reasons, it’s the time to take advantage of it,” added De la Fuente.

Usyk beats Fury in heavyweight championship rematch

Updated 22 December 2024

AFP

December 21, 2024 23:34

Usyk beats Fury in heavyweight championship rematch

Updated 22 December 2024

AFP

December 21, 2024 23:34

RIYADH: Oleksandr Usyk won his heavyweight championship rematch against Tyson Fury by unanimous decision on Saturday to stay unbeaten across two divisions and cement his place among the greats.
The Ukrainian, who forced the pace and repeatedly tagged Fury with his accurate left hook, was awarded the fight 116-112 by all three judges, handing Fury his second straight loss.
Usyk’s win takes him to 23-0 with 14 knockouts and extends one of the all-time best careers that includes Olympic gold and undisputed champion at cruiserweight.

“He’s a great fighter, it’s a great performance,” Usyk, 37, said of Fury, who was unbeaten over 35 fights until he lost their four-belt unification bout in May.
“Unbelievable 24 rounds for my career.”
Only the WBA, WBO and WBC belts were on the line this time after Usyk, focused on the lucrative rematch, relinquished his IBF title rather than face challenger Daniel Dubois.
By beating Fury seven months ago, “The Cat” had already joined the likes of Muhammad Ali, Joe Louis and Mike Tyson as undisputed heavyweight, and the first of the four-belt era.

The defeat opens up an uncertain future for the 36-year-old Fury, now 34-2-1, who announced his retirement in 2022 only to change his mind and return to the ring.
Fury, wearing a Santa-style red-and-white robe and bushy beard, appeared to Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You,” before a determined-looking Usyk strode out in Cossack gear.
The 6ft 9ins (206cm) Briton’s jab held Usyk at bay early on and he landed a jarring right in round two. Usyk caught Fury flush with a left as he raised the pace in round three.

They went toe-to-toe in a punishing fifth round, with Fury pummelling body shots while Usyk launched a flurry to the head. In the sixth, he stung Fury with a clean shot to the nose.
The supremely fit Usyk, renowned for taking charge in the closing rounds, was the aggressor in the seventh, tagging Fury with a hook as the “Gypsy King” backed away.
Fury regained the initiative in the ninth, wielding his jab and one-two combinations and leaning on the Ukrainian, utilising his career-heaviest 281lb (127.4kg) of weight.
It was see-saw stuff as they traded blows but Usyk rocked Fury in the 11th with a lightning combination that ended with yet another left hook to the face.
An Usyk uppercut to Fury’s chin highlighted a furious final round and there was little doubt about the winner as the Ukrainian sank to his knees, arms aloft.

Reports put the prize purse at an increased $190 million with Usyk, as defending champion, expected to receive the bigger share — a reversal of fortunes from May.
The fight sits high in the portfolio of Saudi Arabia’s oil-funded push into sports, which has drawn accusations of “sportswashing” its dubious human rights record.
After Formula One, the LIV Golf tour, Newcastle United and a swathe of aging football stars, the conservative kingdom’s strategy confirmed its crowning moment this month when it was awarded football’s 2034 World Cup.

Topics: Usyk 2 Fury Oleksandr Usyk Tyson Fury

Balotelli almost scores first goal for Genoa but Napoli hold on to lead Serie A again

Updated 22 December 2024

December 22, 2024 03:31

Balotelli almost scores first goal for Genoa but Napoli hold on to lead Serie A again

Lazio rebounded from a dismal 6-0 thrashing at home to Inter Milan by winning at lowly Lecce 2-1
Bologna had a penalty saved but won at Torino 2-0

Updated 22 December 2024

December 22, 2024 03:31

MILAN: Mario Balotelli almost scored his first goal back in Serie A while Napoli returned to the top after withstanding a late siege from Genoa to hold on for a 2-1 win on Saturday.

Balotelli returned to Serie A after more than four years in October and has made six appearances totalling just 57 minutes.

The 34-year-old was sent on with seven minutes remaining against Napoli and almost had an immediate impact as Andrea Pinamonti’s glancing header clipped Balotelli’s knee but goalkeeper Alex Meret managed to push it off the post.

It was one of several decisive saves by Meret in the second half as Genoa came out fighting after going into the break two goals down following headers from Frank Anguissa and Amir Rrahmani.

Pinamonti got Genoa back into it six minutes into the second half with a fine finish into the bottom right corner but the home side went on to suffer its first defeat since hiring Patrick Vieira as coach last month.

It was also Genoa’s first match since coming under the ownership of Romanian businessman Dan Șucu.

The loss left Genoa 13th in Serie A but only two points above the relegation zone.

Napoli moved a point above Atalanta, who host Empoli on Sunday.

10-men Lecce almost hold out

Lazio rebounded from a dismal 6-0 thrashing at home to Inter Milan by winning at lowly Lecce 2-1 but it was far from convincing despite Lecce playing the entire second half with 10 men.

Lecce’s chances of getting something from the match appeared to evaporate on the stroke of halftime.

Taty Castellanos’ first shot was parried brilliantly by Wladimiro Falcone and his follow-up was cleared off the line by the hand of Lecce defender Frédéric Guilbert, who was shown a straight red card.

Castellanos fired the resulting penalty into the bottom left corner.

Tete Morente volleyed Lecce level five minutes after the break and it seemed as if the 10 men were going to hold out for a point but substitute Adam Marusic — who had only just come off the bench — scored the winner three minutes from time.

Lecce almost leveled in stoppages but Mohamed Kaba’s header came off the crossbar.

Lazio moved to fourth while Lecce remained two points clear of the drop zone.

Bologna had a penalty saved but won at Torino 2-0.

Topics: Serie A Mario Balotelli Napoli genoa

Wirtz, Schick star for Leverkusen in rout of Freiburg and keep pressure on Bayern

Updated 22 December 2024

December 22, 2024 03:22

Wirtz, Schick star for Leverkusen in rout of Freiburg and keep pressure on Bayern

Leverkusen resume their league defense at Borussia Dortmund on Jan. 10, while Bayern visit Borussia Mönchengladbach on Jan. 11
Brazilian goalkeeper Kaua Santos endured a game to forget as his Eintracht Frankfurt was shocked by 10-man Mainz 3-1

Updated 22 December 2024

December 22, 2024 03:22

BERLIN: Florian Wirtz starred and Patrik Schick scored four goals as Bayer Leverkusen routed Freiburg 5-1 on Saturday to keep the pressure on Bundesliga leader Bayern Munich over the winter break.

Wirtz, who has yet to extend his Leverkusen contract, set up a hat trick for Schick and scored his seventh league goal of the season.

Leverkusen dominated but needed patience before Schick broke the deadlock with a chip over the goalkeeper right before the break.

Wirtz, who’d played Schick through, score after the break when he displayed brilliant close control to elude a defender before firing the ball inside the near post from a narrow angle.

Vincenzo Grifo pulled one back four minutes later, but Wirtz floated in a precise cross for Schick to head Leverkusen’s third in the 67th, then laid the ball back for Schick to fire Leverkusen’s fourth in the 74th.

“For a striker, it’s a dream to have this player behind you,” Schick said of Wirtz.

Schick scored again with a header to a corner three minutes later — the only goal that didn’t involve Wirtz.

Leverkusen stayed four points behind Bayern after its eighth straight win across all competitions.

Leverkusen resume their league defense at Borussia Dortmund on Jan. 10, while Bayern visit Borussia Mönchengladbach on Jan. 11.

Frankfurt goalkeeper’s woes

Brazilian goalkeeper Kaua Santos endured a game to forget as his Eintracht Frankfurt was shocked by 10-man Mainz 3-1.

Frankfurt had 34 shots at goal compared to nine by the visitor, which played with a man less from the 21st after captain Nadiem Amiri was sent off for catching Ellyes Skhiri’s right ankle with his studs.

Santos had already conceded an unfortunate own goal. The ‘keeper played out a short pass to Skhiri, who was immediately under pressure from two Mainz players. Skhiri sent the ball looping back toward Santos, who deflected it onto the crossbar, from where it rebounded back off Santos’ arm and in.

Mainz’s Paul Nebel then scored with a deflected shot for 2-0, and Santos was at fault again when a botched pass invited another Mainz attack. Nebel grabbed his second goal in the 58th.

Rasmus Kristensen, who struck the crossbar in the first half, scored Frankfurt’s consolation in the 75th.

“We were already there for Kaua as a team on the field,” Frankfurt defender Robin Koch said of Santos’ bad day. “He’s a young player, these things happen. But he’s a good guy, he’ll come out of it and the same will help him with his development.”

Regular goalkeeper Kevin Trapp and reserve Jens Grahl were out with illness.

Stuttgart stunned at home

Johannes Eggestein fired promoted St. Pauli to a 1-0 win at Stuttgart, last season’s runner-up. Stuttgart had won their last four games across all competitions.

Union Berlin’s winless run stretched to nine games across all competitions as Bo Svensson’s team slumped to a 4-1 defeat at Werder Bremen.

Holstein Kiel ended their five-game losing run by routing Augsburg 5-1, and Borussia Mönchengladbach won at Hoffenheim 2-1.

There were tributes with silences before all the games for the victims of an attack on a Christmas market in Magdeburg the night before.

“There are always more important things than football,” Freiburg coach Christian Günter said.

Topics: Bundesliga Bayer Leverkusen Freiburg Bayern Munich

Tiger Woods and son Charlie share the lead at PNC Championship

Updated 22 December 2024

December 22, 2024 02:18

Tiger Woods and son Charlie share the lead at PNC Championship

Woods hit an array of good shots, including a wedge to inches on the short par-4 seventh, but otherwise downplayed his game by suggesting he still had a lot of rust
The PNC Championship is for players who won a major or The Players Championship and a family member

Updated 22 December 2024

December 22, 2024 02:18

ORLANDO, Florida: Tiger Woods and 15-year-old son Charlie ran off five straight birdies on the back nine Saturday for a 13-under 59 in the scramble format, giving them a share of the lead in the PNC Championship in Woods’ first competition since back surgery in September.
Woods said he scheduled that surgery — the sixth on his lower back in the last 10 years — to be sure he recovered in time to play with his son for the fifth straight year.
This is the first time they have shared the lead after the opening round, joined by the last two champions — Bernhard Langer and son Jason, and Vijay Singh and son Qass.
Woods hit an array of good shots, including a wedge to inches on the short par-4 seventh, but otherwise downplayed his game by suggesting he still had a lot of rust. This was more about spending 36 holes on a brisk day at the Ritz-Carlton Club Orlando with his son, a sophomore at Benjamin School in North Palm Beach.
His daughter, Sam, caddied for her father for the second straight year. Their mother, Elin, was among those in the gallery in a tournament that is all about family.
“We’re trying to pull off each and every shot for each other, and to ham-and-egg,” Woods said. “And I think we did that great pretty much the entire day. We picked each other up, which was great. And Charlie made pretty much most of the putts today.”
It helped playing in the same group with former British Open champion Justin Leonard and his son, Luke, a senior and teammate with Charlie at Benjamin School.
Langer extended his astonishing record on the PGA Tour Champions this year by winning for an 18th consecutive season. He and his son made eight birdies in a nine-hole stretch in the middle of the round, and they had an eagle on the 14th hole.
Singh and his son, who won this event in 2022, shot 28 on the back nine.
“There’s so many teams in the hunt,” Langer said. “It’s anybody’s game that is within three or four shots of the leaders, which is most of the field.”
Padraig Harrington and son Paddy, and Tom Lehman and son Sean, were at 12-under 60. The Lehmans looked to be leading when they were around the green on the par-5 18th, but then it took them four shots to get down in the scramble format, taking bogey.
Having Team Woods in the mix is enough to get attention.
“It’s great for the tournament and happy for them,” Langer said. “Should be fun for the crowd tomorrow to come out and watch everybody play.”
Woods hasn’t competed since the British Open in July.
For Team Woods, it’s a matter of not looking too far ahead. The father knows that all too well with his record-tying 82 titles on the PGA Tour. The son got a lesson in that this summer.
Charlie Woods qualified for his first US Junior Amateur, making it to Oakland Hills but not staying very long. He shot rounds of 82-80 and didn’t make it to match play. He also fell short in Monday qualifying for the Cognizant Classic on the PGA Tour and US Open qualifying.
But he said the US Junior was his biggest learning moment.
“It’s about focusing on my playing,” Charlie said. “I was so focused on winning and how I played that it kind of crept into how am I going to win instead of how I’m going to play the shot. And it kind of built up and that caused two very, very bad rounds of golf. But live and learn.”
His father listened to the answer and nodded.
“Learn,” Woods said.
The PNC Championship is for players who won a major or The Players Championship and a family member. Annika Sorenstam is playing with her son, while Nelly Korda is playing with her father. Steve Stricker — winner of seven senior majors — is playing with daughter Izzy, a freshman at Wisconsin.
Korda dazzled with a fairway metal out of the sand on the par-5 14th to set up eagle. Team Korda was four shots behind.

Topics: PNC Tiger Woods golf Charlie Woods

Atletico snatch late win at Barca to top La Liga

Updated 22 December 2024

AFP

December 22, 2024 01:23

Atletico snatch late win at Barca to top La Liga

Barcelona started the season in superb form but have stumbled in recent weeks and have now won just one of their last seven league games

Updated 22 December 2024

AFP

December 22, 2024 01:23

BARCELONA: Atletico Madrid came from behind to snatch a last-gasp 2-1 victory over Barcelona and claim leadership of La Liga on Saturday.
Pedri sent the Catalans ahead but second-half goals from Rodrigo De Paul and Alexander Sorloth helped Diego Simeone’s side move three points clear at the top of the table, having played one match fewer than Barca.
Hansi Flick’s side dominated at the Olympic stadium but Atletico clung on before claiming a 12th consecutive victory across all competitions with Sorloth’s stoppage-time strike.
Barcelona started the season in superb form but have stumbled in recent weeks and have now won just one of their last seven league games.
Champions Real Madrid face Sevilla on Sunday and can also move ahead of Barcelona with a victory.
Barcelona controlled the first half, with their press suffocating Atletico, but struggled to construct many chances.
Raphinha missed with an early header and had another effort blocked, while Jan Oblak fielded a stinging Inigo Martinez effort.
The hosts appealed for a penalty when the ball struck Giovanni Simeone’s arm in the area but it would have been a harsh punishment for the Atletico coach’s son.
Barcelona took the lead after 30 minutes with Pedri both the architect and scorer of the goal.
The Spain midfielder burst forward with the ball and fed Gavi, who tried to turn and inadvertently nudged the ball back to the surging Pedri, who entered the box and slotted past Oblak.
Barcelona should have doubled their lead early in the second half, with Fermin Lopez denied by Oblak’s legs before Raphinha hit the crossbar.
Pedri played in the Brazilian winger with a fine pass over the top and Raphinha lofted the ball over the goalkeeper but it struck the woodwork on its way down.
Moments later Atletico were level, with Marc Casado’s misguided backheel clearance falling to De Paul on the edge of the area.
The in-form Argentine midfielder finished with a firm low effort into the bottom corner for his third goal in his last four league games.
In the final stages both teams tried to snatch a winner, with La Liga’s top goalscorer Robert Lewandowski missing from point-blank range, although Ferran Torres appeared offside in the build-up.
At the other end Inaki Pena made a fine save to keep Pablo Barrios at bay, while Oblak saved from Raphinha after another superb Pedri ball.
The outstanding Canarian midfielder had a chance to score himself but Oblak again proved too hard to beat, and his efforts did not go unrewarded.
Deep in stoppage time Nahuel Molina crossed for regular super-sub Sorloth to strike and ensure Atletico will be top of the pile at Christmas.

Topics: La Liga Atletico Madrid Barca

‘Sure bet’ Zubimendi can replace injured Rodri: Spain coach

‘Sure bet’ Zubimendi can replace injured Rodri: Spain coach

De la Fuente calls on Spain players to make history in Euros final

Mbappe among stars missing from Nations League while European teams eye World Cup qualifying

Usyk beats Fury in heavyweight championship rematch

Usyk beats Fury in heavyweight championship rematch

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Balotelli almost scores first goal for Genoa but Napoli hold on to lead Serie A again

Balotelli almost scores first goal for Genoa but Napoli hold on to lead Serie A again

Balotelli hits first Brescia goal in defeat to Napoli

Record-breakers Atalanta maintain Serie A lead as Napoli lurk

Wirtz, Schick star for Leverkusen in rout of Freiburg and keep pressure on Bayern

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Latest updates

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Balotelli almost scores first goal for Genoa but Napoli hold on to lead Serie A again

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‘Sure bet’ Zubimendi can replace injured Rodri: Spain coach

‘Sure bet’ Zubimendi can replace injured Rodri: Spain coach

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