PSG survive Aston Villa scare to reach Champions League semis

PSG survive Aston Villa scare to reach Champions League semis
PSG's Desire Doue, centre,challenges for the ball with Aston Villa's Ian Maatsen during the Champions League quarterfinal second leg soccer match between Aston Villa and Paris Saint-Germain at Villa Park stadium, Birmingham, England, Tuesday, April 15, 2025. (AP)
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Updated 16 April 2025
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PSG survive Aston Villa scare to reach Champions League semis

PSG survive Aston Villa scare to reach Champions League semis
  • A PSG side that looked imperious in the first 45 minutes were suddenly all at sea as Villa missed a series of chances to take the game to extra time

BIRMINGHAM, United Kingdom: Paris Saint-Germain survived a second half onslaught to beat Aston Villa 5-4 on aggregate and reach the Champions League semifinals despite a 3-2 defeat on Tuesday.
The French champions were cruising toward the last four when full-backs Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes struck in the first 27 minutes to add to their 3-1 first leg lead.
Youri Tielemans pulled a goal back for the English side before half-time and two goals in two minutes from John McGinn and Ezri Konsa transformed the tie early in the second period.
PSG were thankful to goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma for keeping Unai Emery’s men at bay and preventing another famous collapse in the Champions League knockout stages.
Villa boss Emery was in charge of PSG when Luis Enrique’s Barcelona overturned a 4-0 first leg deficit with a dramatic 6-1 win in 2017.
Luis Enrique again emerged victorious over his compatriot but was the one this time given a scare of blowing a seemingly unassailable lead.
Villa had not experienced a European night like this since 1983 and there was an embarrassing moment for the hosts before a ball was kicked as the Europa League anthem was played instead of the famous pre-match hymn of the Champions League.
Desire Doue’s stunning strike to begin PSG’s fightback from 1-0 down in last week’s first leg was not enough for him to retain his place in the side.
But Luis Enrique’s decision to start Bradley Barcola was justified when he sprinted down the left and Emiliano Martinez spilled his cross into the path of Hakimi, who fired home the opener on 11 minutes.
Another blistering break from the visitors cut Villa open as Ousmane Dembele squared for left-back Mendes to stroke in his fourth Champions League goal of the season and second of the tie.
Villa’s refusal to give up the fight was rewarded when Tielemans’ deflected effort pulled a goal back before half-time.
Villa fanatic Prince William and his son George were among the home support that were in raptures as what seemed an impossible fightback came closer to reality.
McGinn’s deflected effort flew into the top corner to restore parity on the night at 2-2.
Emery’s decision to start with Marcus Rashford up front ahead of top scorer Ollie Watkins was a controversial one before kick-off.
Rashford has been reborn since a January loan move from Manchester United.
The England international was denied a goal by a stunning save from Donnarumma.
But from the resulting corner, Rashford nutmegged Fabian Ruiz, skipped past Vitinha and cut the ball back for Konsa to slot in at the near post.
A PSG side that looked imperious in the first 45 minutes were suddenly all at sea as Villa missed a series of chances to take the game to extra time.
Donnarumma produced another brilliant save to prevent Tielemans’ header finding the top corner.
Marco Asensio then had the chance to net against his parent club only for Donnarumma to fly out from his goal to block.
Konsa should have headed in another enticing Rashford delivery.
But Rashford’s removal for Watkins proved a turning point as PSG restored control and should have added to their lead in the closing stages as Martinez saved from Hakimi and Doue.
Willian Pacho blocked Ian Maatsen’s goalbound effort in stoppage time to deny Villa at the death.
But they have surpassed expectations in their first experience of the elite level of European football for over four decades.
For PSG, their quest to win the competition for the first time goes on and they have rarely had a better opportunity to end that wait.
Arsenal are their likely semifinal opponents as the Gunners take a 3-0 quarter-final, first leg advantage away to holders Real Madrid on Wednesday.
On the other half of the draw Barcelona will face either Inter Milan or Bayern Munich in a heavyweight clash.
But PSG are arguably the continent’s form side and with the Ligue 1 title long since sewn up, can focus entirely on conquering Europe in Munich on May 31.


UEFA apologizes after running out of medals during Europa League final ceremony

UEFA apologizes after running out of medals during Europa League final ceremony
Updated 58 min 59 sec ago
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UEFA apologizes after running out of medals during Europa League final ceremony

UEFA apologizes after running out of medals during Europa League final ceremony
  • Spurs captain Son Heung-min and two other players, the last to line up for individual medals, were left empty-handed
  • Tottenham Hotspur beat Manchester United 1-0 to win the club’s fourth European title on Wednesday

UEFA has apologized for running out of winners medals during the Europa League final trophy ceremony on Wednesday after more Tottenham Hotspur players than expected lined up to receive their individual prizes.
Spurs captain Son Heung-min and two other players, the last to line up for individual medals, were left empty-handed after their team beat Manchester United 1-0 to win the club’s fourth European title on Wednesday.
Son lifted the trophy without a medal around his neck.
“To our great displeasure, we did not have enough medals available on stage during the trophy ceremony presentation due to an unexpected discrepancy in the player count ...” British media quoted European soccer’s governing body as saying on Thursday.
“More team members – including injured players – participated in the ceremony than initially anticipated.
“The missing medals were promptly delivered to the winning team in the dressing room, along with our sincerest apologies for the oversight.”


Gilgeous-Alexander leads Thunder to 2-0 lead over Minnesota

Gilgeous-Alexander leads Thunder to 2-0 lead over Minnesota
Updated 23 May 2025
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Gilgeous-Alexander leads Thunder to 2-0 lead over Minnesota

Gilgeous-Alexander leads Thunder to 2-0 lead over Minnesota
  • Gilgeous-Alexander was presented with his MVP award on court before the game but any suggestions that the celebrations would distract from the task at hand quickly evaporated
  • OKC head to Minnesota on the back of their 60th win by double figures this season and in buoyant mood

WASHINGTON: Newly crowned NBA Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Oklahoma City Thunder to an imposing 118-103 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves to open up a 2-0 lead in the Western Conference Finals on Thursday.

Gilgeous-Alexander was presented with his MVP award on court before the game but any suggestions that the celebrations would distract from the task at hand quickly evaporated.

Roared on by a loud and passionate home crowd, the Canadian top-scored for the Thunder with 38 points and added eight assists and three rebounds.

OKC head to Minnesota on the back of their 60th win by double figures this season and in buoyant mood.

The Timberwolves will take some encouragement from a strong showing from Anthony Edwards, who after disappointing in Game 1, posted 32 points with six assists and nine rebounds.

But if they are to fight their way back into this series they will need to tighten up their defense, improve on 41.4 percent field-goal shooting and get more out of Julius Randle who was restricted to six points.

After a tight first half, the game was won by a blistering third quarter from the Thunder, who outscored Minnesota by 14 points.

A Chet Holmgren alley-oop dunk with 2:54 left in the quarter opened up a 17-point 82-65 lead.

Although the Timberwolves were able to reduce the deficit to 10 points in the fourth, the outcome was never in real doubt.

Jalen Williams had 26 points and 10 rebounds and Holmgren added 22 points for the Thunder.

Gilgeous-Alexander said the team’s ability to go on strong runs had its roots in their strong defense.

“It feels good. It starts with getting stops though, it always does. We get stops, we’re able to play fast, play to our strengths, play in the open court, be special,” he said.


Anti-doping bodies condemn ‘dangerous’ drug-fueled Enhanced Games

Anti-doping bodies condemn ‘dangerous’ drug-fueled Enhanced Games
Updated 23 May 2025
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Anti-doping bodies condemn ‘dangerous’ drug-fueled Enhanced Games

Anti-doping bodies condemn ‘dangerous’ drug-fueled Enhanced Games
  • The Enhanced Games will be staged in Las Vegas in May 2026, with athletes participating in three sports — athletics, swimming and weightlifting
  • Aron D’Souza, the Australian entrepreneur who is the founder of the event, says the Enhanced Games are an exercise in testing the boundaries of human performance

LOS ANGELES: Anti-doping bodies on Thursday condemned plans for the first edition of the Enhanced Games in Las Vegas, an Olympics-style event where athletes will be free to use performance-enhancing drugs.

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and bodies across the world have taken aim at the event after organizers revealed the date, venue and format for the competition.

The Enhanced Games will be staged in Las Vegas in May 2026, with athletes participating in three sports — athletics, swimming and weightlifting.

Athletes will be allowed to use drugs which are banned across international sport such as steroids and human growth hormones, with winners of each event receiving $250,000, and a bonus of $1 million for anyone who breaks a world record.

Aron D’Souza, the Australian entrepreneur who is the founder of the event, says the Enhanced Games are an exercise in testing the boundaries of human performance.

“The Enhanced Games is renovating the Olympic model for the 21st century,” D’Souza said on Wednesday as details of the games were revealed.

“We are here to move humanity forward,” D’Souza said. “The old rules didn’t just hold back athletes, they held back humanity.

“We are not just organizing competition, we are in the business of unlocking human potential. We are the vanguard of super-humanity.”

The Enhanced Games will take place from May 21-24 at the Resorts World hotel in Las Vegas.

Swimming will hold 100m and 50m freestyle events, along with 100m and 50m butterfly.

Athletics events include the 100m and 100m and 110m hurdles. Weightlifters will compete in the snatch and clean & jerk disciplines.

WADA, the global anti-doping watchdog, on Thursday condemned plans for the event as “dangerous,” voicing concern it could lead athletes around the world to dabble in illicit substances with potentially deadly consequences

“WADA condemns the Enhanced Games as a dangerous and irresponsible concept,” the agency said in a statement. “The health and well-being of athletes is WADA’s No. 1 priority.

“Clearly this event would jeopardize that as it seeks to promote the use of powerful substances and methods by athletes for the purposes of entertainment and marketing.

“There have been many examples of athletes suffering serious long-term side-effects from their use of prohibited substances and methods. Some have died.”

Travis Tygart, the head of the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), said the event was a “dangerous clown show that puts profit over principle.”

Australia’s anti-doping body, Sport Integrity Australia (SIA), also condemned the risks posed to athletes participating in the Enhanced Games.

“We work to ensure that sport is safe and fair to all,” SIA chief executive Sarah Benson said in a statement. “The Enhanced Games is promoting the complete opposite and poses a significant risk to athlete health and safety.”

USADA’s chief science officer, Matt Fedoruk, highlighted that many substances had been banned in conventional sporting events because they were proven to be dangerous.

“These things aren’t just banned because they’re effective at making athletes stronger or faster,” Fedoruk said in a post on USADA’s website.

“Many are banned because they’ve been proven to be dangerous for athletes, with some harmful side effects being potentially irreversible.”

Enhanced Games founder D’Souza however has pushed back on those criticisms, insisting that the competition would be conducted “safely.”

“We live in a world transformed by science — from vaccines to AI,” said D’Souza.

“But sport has stood still. Until today. We are not updating the rulebook — we are rewriting it. And we’re doing it safely, ethically, and boldly.”

The Enhanced Games have received financial backing from investors who include billionaire PayPal founder Peter Thiel as well as investment firm 1789 Capital, in which Donald Trump Jr. is a partner.


Real Madrid great Luka Modric leaving club after 13 years. Exit to follow Club World Cup

Real Madrid great Luka Modric leaving club after 13 years. Exit to follow Club World Cup
Updated 23 May 2025
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Real Madrid great Luka Modric leaving club after 13 years. Exit to follow Club World Cup

Real Madrid great Luka Modric leaving club after 13 years. Exit to follow Club World Cup
  • Madrid will pay tribute to Modric in their last match of the season Saturday against Real Sociedad in La Liga at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium
  • In 13 seasons, Modric helped the club win 28 titles: six European Cups, six Club World Cups, five European Super Cups, four Spanish leagues, two Copas del Rey and five Spanish Super Cups

MADRID: Real Madrid and midfielder Luka Modric — the most decorated player in the club’s history — have agreed to part ways after the Club World Cup.

The 39-year-old Modric will leave after an “unforgettable time as a player at our club,” the club said in Thursday’s announcement.

Madrid will pay tribute to Modric in their last match of the season Saturday against Real Sociedad in La Liga at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. The Club World Cup starts in mid-June in the United States.

“The moment has arrived,” Modric said on social media. “The moment I never wanted to come, but that’s football, and in life everything has a beginning and an end. On Saturday, I’ll play my last game at the Santiago Bernabeu.”

Modric arrived at Madrid in 2012 and became a key player during one of the most successful periods in the club’s history.

“Real Madrid wishes to express its immense gratitude and appreciation for a player who has become a true legend both of our club and world football,” the club said.

In 13 seasons, Modric helped the club win 28 titles: six European Cups, six Club World Cups, five European Super Cups, four Spanish leagues, two Copas del Rey and five Spanish Super Cups.

“Luka Modric will forever remain in the hearts of all madridistas (Madrid fans) as a unique and exemplary footballer who has always embodied the values of Real Madrid,” club president Florentino Perez said. “His football has captured the imagination of madridismo and fans all over the world. His legacy will live on forever.”

The Croatia international has made 590 appearances for Madrid — eighth on the club’s all-time list — and has scored 43 goals. He had been playing fewer minutes in recent seasons under coach Carlo Ancelotti.

He is one of only five players to have won six European Cups.

In 2018, Modric won the Ballon d’Or, was named FIFA’s best men’s player and UEFA’s men’s player of the year. Twice he’s been named the best midfielder in the Champions League.

“I’m leaving filled with pride, gratitude and unforgettable memories,” Modric said. “And although after the Club World Cup I won’t wear this shirt on the field again, I’ll always be a madridista.”

Modric did not indicate his post-Madrid plans, but a motivating factor could be that the 2026 World Cup is only a year away.

Modric’s 186 matches for Croatia make him the nation’s record-holder for international appearances. He won the Golden Ball at the 2018 World Cup in Russia — where Croatia lost the final to France — and the Bronze Ball at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.


Birthday boy Djokovic avenges Arnaldi loss in Geneva

Birthday boy Djokovic avenges Arnaldi loss in Geneva
Updated 23 May 2025
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Birthday boy Djokovic avenges Arnaldi loss in Geneva

Birthday boy Djokovic avenges Arnaldi loss in Geneva

GENEVA: Novak Djokovic overcame soggy conditions on his 38th birthday to beat Matteo Arnaldi on Thursday and reach the Geneva Open semifinals in a tune-up event for Roland Garros.
The former world number one retrieved a break in the second set to claim a 6-4, 6-4 win over the 39th-ranked Italian who dumped him out at the first hurdle in Madrid last month.
Djokovic is hunting the 100th title of his career on the eve of the French Open having not won a tournament since capturing Olympic gold in Paris last August.
“It’s great to be in the semifinals again. Last year I played the semifinals. Hopefully this year I can go at least a step further. That’s the goal,” said Djokovic.
Djokovic, who received a wild card to play in Geneva after skipping Rome, will meet British qualifier Cameron Norrie for a place in Saturday’s final.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion had not won a match on clay this season after also losing his Monte Carlo opener at the start of April to Alejandro Tabilo.
A single break early in the first set enabled Djokovic to take control, but the sixth-ranked Serbian had to rally from 4-1 down in the second.
He drew audible gasps from the crowd when he grabbed his right knee after stretching for a shot in the fifth game.
But Djokovic, who had surgery last year to repair a torn meniscus suffered at the French Open, quickly rebounded and let out a mighty roar as he broke to go 5-4 ahead before putting away Arnaldi.
He said an angry outburst after dropping serve helped him reset as he won the final five games.
“I think I’m playing really, really good tennis,” said Djokovic, who was presented on court with a chocolate cake topped with sparklers after his victory.
“Today it was a lot of tension on the court. A straight-sets win but it was much closer than maybe the score indicates.
“I was 4-1 down in the second. Somehow after that racquet breaking I didn’t lose a game and kind of found my optimal state and balance, mentally and emotionally.”
Norrie ousted Australian fifth seed Alexei Popyrin 7-6 (8/6), 6-4 in the day’s last quarter-final.
Hubert Hurkacz put out top seed Taylor 6-3, 7-6 (7/5) earlier and will play Austrian qualifier Sebastian Ofner in the other semifinal.
The 128th-ranked Ofner came from behind to beat fourth seed Karen Khachanov 4-6, 6-4, 6-4.