Football / News / Sports

Europa League playoff draw in full: Barcelona to face Man United for a place in Round of 16

The Europa League might be considered Europe’s second-tier continental competition, but there is a tie in this season’s playoff round worthy of global attention.

Barcelona, who dropped out of the Champions League after finishing behind Bayern Munich and Inter Milan in their group, will face Manchester United in a two-legged tie in February.

Serie A giants Juventus are also involved at this stage and will face Nantes, while Jose Mourinho’s Roma will take on Salzburg.

The winners of the playoff ties will progress to the Europa League last 16.

Europa League knockout playoffs draw, fixtures and schedule

The winners from the playoff round will advance to the Round of 16 and will be matched up against a group winner. All eight Europa League group winners earned a bye straight to the Round of 16.

The playoff matches will be played in February. The draw for the last 16 will take place on February 24.

Match 1st Leg 2nd Leg
Barcelona vs Manchester United Feb 16 Feb 23
Juventus vs Nantes Feb 16 Feb 23
Sporting CP vs Midtjylland Feb 16 Feb 23
Shakhtar Donetsk vs Rennes Feb 16 Feb 23
Ajax vs Union Berlin Feb 16 Feb 23
Bayer Leverkusen vs Monaco Feb 16 Feb 23
Sevilla vs PSV Feb 16 Feb 23
Salzburg vs Roma Feb 16 Feb 23

*Teams in bold are seeded and will play the second leg at home

Teams qualifying from Europa League group stage

First-place finishers earned a bye to the Round of 16, while second-place finishers must take part in the playoff round.

Europa League
Group		 1st Place
(Group Winners)		 2nd Place
(Group Runners-up)
A Arsenal (ENG) PSV (NED)
B Fenerbahce (TUR) Rennes (FRA)
C Real Betis (SPA) AS Roma (ITA)
D Union Saint-Gilloise (BEL) Union Berlin (GER)
E Real Sociedad (SPA) Manchester United (ENG)
F Feyenoord (NED) Midtjylland (DEN)
G SC Freiburg (GER) Nantes (FRA)
H Ferencvaros (HUN) AS Monaco (FRA)
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Football / News / Sports

Champions League draw: Liverpool face Real Madrid, Bayern Munich vs. PSG

Defending champions Real Madrid will face Liverpool in the Champions League round-of-16, a repeat of last season’s final, while Paris Saint-Germain will play against Bayern Munich.

Madrid are seeking to win a 15th European title in June’s final in Istanbul, having claimed a 1-0 win over Liverpool in last year’s final in Paris. Madrid also beat Jurgen Klopp’s side in the 2018 final in Kyiv.

“It’s a repeat of the last final, they’re two historic teams. It will be an electric, fascinating tie for the fans,” Madrid director Emilio Butragueno said.

“We’re the champions, and we want to defend our title, while being aware of the opponent we face. We’ll do everything we can to be in the quarterfinal draw.”

Meanwhile, PSG, who finished second in Group H, remain on the hunt for their first Champions League title and will have to go through familiar foes to do so, having last met Bayern in the 2020 final where they suffered a 1-0 defeat.

Elsewhere, Chelsea drew Borussia Dortmund, meaning forward Christian Pulisic will return to face his former club for the first time since leaving for Stamford Bridge in 2019.

Manchester City eased their way to top Group G were rewarded with a draw against RB Leipzig, while Tottenham Hotspur face AC Milan.

The round-of-16 first legs will take place on Feb. 14-15 and Feb. 21-22, with the second legs due to be held on March 7-8 and March.

The final is scheduled for June 10 at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul.

Champions League Round of 16 draw:

RB Leipzig vs. Manchester City

Club Brugge vs. Benfica

Liverpool vs. Real Madrid

AC Milan vs. Tottenham Hotspur

Eintracht Frankfurt vs. Napoli

Borussia Dortmund vs. Chelsea

Inter Milan vs. Porto

Paris Saint-Germain vs. Bayern Munich…

Football / News / Sports

 Mo Salah and Darwin Nunez hitting form against Tottenham Hotspur

Today’s encounter is a crucial one for Jurgen Klopp and Antonio Conte. Both managers are under pressure to deliver for their respective clubs but for vastly different reasons. Conte is trying to prove that Tottenham can be a major player in the Premier League title race whilst Klopp wants to get Liverpool back to winning ways and into the top four race.

With the margins for error so slim at the top of the table Conte’s Spurs cannot afford to slip up against Liverpool this afternoon. They’ve had three poor weeks in the league with consecutive defeats to Manchester United and Newcastle before Rodrigo Bentancur rescued them with a 92nd minute winner against Bournemouth last time out. Three points today is a must if Spurs want to keep the pressure on Manchester City and Arsenal.

Liverpool, meanwhile, come into the game 9th in the table and eight points away from the top four having been beaten by Nottingham Forest and Leeds in their last two league outings. However, Klopp’s men tend to step up in big games – they’re the only ones to beat City this season – and with the pressure on they could prove to be too much to handle for Spurs especially with Mo Salah and Darwin Nunez hitting form.

Follow the action as Tottenham clash with Liverpool in the Premier League:

Tottenham vs Liverpool

  • Victory puts Spurs back in third place
  • Tottenham XI: Lloris; Royal, Dier, Lenglet, Davies, Sessegnon; Bissouma, Bentancur, Hojbjerg, Perisic; Kane
  • Liverpool XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Thiago, Elliott; Salah, Firmino, Nunez

Tottenham Hotspur FC 1 – 2 Liverpool FC

Full-time: Tottenham 1-2 Liverpool

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Football / News / Sports

Benzema wins Ballon d’Or

Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema poses with the Ballon d’Or trophy at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, France on Oct. 17, 2022.

French striker Karim Benzema claimed the 2022 Ballon d’Or here on Monday after a dazzling season with Real Madrid which saw the Spanish giants win both La Liga and the UEFA Champions League.

Spain’s Alexia Putellas won the women’s trophy for the second year in a row following another stellar season with Barcelona.

The first French player to win the prestigious individual football prize since Zinedine Zidane in 1998, Benzema had his best season ever at Madrid, finishing with 44 goals in 46 matches and becoming the top scorer in both domestic and continental tournaments.

A highlight for the 34-year-old came in the knockout stages of the Champions League when he grabbed two consecutive hat-tricks against Paris Saint-Germain in the round of 16, and Chelsea in the quarterfinals.

“It’s a collective victory. It’s an individual trophy but without your teammates, you can’t score. Sometimes you might get a screamer but, for me, football is a collective sport and I will always be a team player,” Benzema said.

For the first time in the award’s history, the Ballon d’Or was awarded based on the performance of the past season, not according to achievements in a calendar year.

Senegalese forward Sadio Mane, who moved to Bayern Munich from Liverpool this summer, came second, while Manchester City playmaker Kevin De Bruyne of Belgium was third.

Barcelona’s summer signing Robert Lewandowski was named the best striker for the second year in a row, with the Pole also ranking fourth in the overall Ballon d’Or list. Fellow Barcelona midfielder Gavi won the Kopa Trophy for the best young player.

Benzema’s club teammate Thibaut Courtois was awarded the Yashin Trophy for best goalkeeper.…

Football / Music / News / Sports

Kizz Daniel is set to perform at the 2022 World Cup

A few months ago, Kizz Daniel tweeted that he would love to perform his hit single ‘Buga’ at the World Cup. It will appear that the universe has granted Kizz Daniel’s request as he is now set to perform at the opening ceremony of the 2022 FIFA world cup in Qatar.

Kizz has enjoyed a successful 2022 with his single ‘Buga’ becoming one of the biggest singles out of the continent. After embarking on a successful ‘Afroclassic Tour’ of the UK, US, Canada, and select African countries, Kizz Daniel is set to take ‘Buga’ to the biggest event in an event in competitive sport.

The 2022 FIFA World Cup is set to hold in Qatar from Sunday, 20 Nov to Sunday, 18 Dec 2022. Fans will be excited at the news of getting to see Nigerian artists perform at the World in what is another high point for Afrobeats.

…
Football / News / Sports

Mohamed Salah’s stunning goal earns Liverpool 1-0 win vs Man City

The Egyptian forward was picked out by goalkeeper Alisson and produced a stunning touch and turn, spinning Joao Cancelo in the process.

Salah then kept his composure to steer the ball past Ederson. It was a truly magical goal and has the potential to be one of the standout moments of the season.

The kick. The touch. The turn. The finish. What a sensational goal.

Tight first half at Anfield

Thirteen points separated the Premier League heavyweights at the start of the afternoon.

Previously unbeaten City have been magnificent during the opening weeks of the campaign, inspired by their £51 million summer signing Erling Haaland.

All eyes were on the prolific Norwegian forward at Anfield and he was City’s biggest goal threat during the first half, testing Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson on two occasions.

Haaland will feel that he should have broke the deadlock shortly before half-time with a header from Kevin De Bruyne’s inch-perfect cross.

Liverpool held their own during the opening 45 minutes but only managed to get one shot on target.

Salah’s moment of magic seals Liverpool win

Salah almost put the hosts 1-0 up early in the second half but the Egyptian forward, who scored a lightning-quick hat-trick against Rangers in midweek, saw his effort stopped by a superb Ederson save.

At the opposite end of the pitch, City scored through Phil Foden, only for the goal to be disallowed following a VAR review. Haaland had fouled Fabinho in the build-up to the chance and the goal was chalked off, much to Pep Guardiola’s frustration.

The game had suddenly burst into life. Salah then picked out Diogo Jota moments later but the Portuguese forward headed over the bar.

Alisson then produced another save from Haaland before Salah curled wide with 20 minutes left on the clock.

There was confusion shortly afterwards when it appeared that Salah was one of three players Jurgen Klopp wanted to substitute.

But he stayed on and then scored one of the best goals we’ll see this season in the Premier League, …

Football / News / Sports

Real Madrid Take El clasico win against Barcelona

Real Madrid welcomed Barcelona to the Bernabeu with plenty to lose at the top of the La Liga table, but Los Blancos emerged with all to gain as goals from Karim Benzema, Federico Valverde, and Rodrigo secured a 3-1 victory.

Instead, it’s Barcelona who leave Madrid with yet another black eye, following the midweek Champions League calamity that likely sees them out of Europe’s top competition. Xavi’s sorrows are compounded after suffering through similar defensive mistakes to the ones made against Inter just days prior.

With the victory, Real Madrid take control of the La Liga title race, moving three points clear at the top of the standings. Barcelona are passed, only in the lead on goal differential before kickoff at the Bernabeu.

Karim Benzema was the first on the scene for Madrid, bagging the opener just 12 minutes in. He made way for others in the team, as big-game star Federico Valverde doubled the lead past the half-hour mark with a solid long-range strike.

After halftime, Barcelona pushed hard to get back in the game, and Real Madrid hung on until Ferran Torres brought the visitors back within one after great work from Ansu Fati. Yet it was not to be, as Real Madrid ran to victory as Rodrygo deposited a dubious penalty in stoppage time to secure the points.

Real Madrid vs. Barcelona final score

1H 2H Final
Real Madrid 2 1 3
Barcelona 0 1 1

Goals:
12th min — RMA — Karim Benzema
35th min — RMA — Federico Valverde
83rd min — BAR — Ferran Torres
90+1 min — RMA — Rodrygo (pen)

Real Madrid vs. Barcelona post-match analysis

Toni Kroos, Luka Modric run midfield in El Clasico

The two midfield stars for Real Madrid were yet again showing their ageless beauty as they completely ran Barcelona’s midfield off the pitch.

Toni Kroos was instrumental in the opening goal, somehow managing to deliver a pinpoint through-ball while being dragged back by a helpless Sergio Busquets. He finished 49-of-55 passing, including 6-of-8 on long balls and …

News / NFL / Sports

Commanders Defense Pulls Out Washington Win vs. Bears

The Washington Commanders are heading back to the nation’s capital happy after a hard-fought 12-7 win over the Chicago Bears on Thursday Night Football at Soldier Field.

The score is indicative of the excitement the game gave … not much, at least until the end.

The first points on the board came with 46 seconds left in the first half on a Joey Slye field goal to grant the Commanders a 3-0 lead going into halftime. However, the shutout the defense pitched in the first half came with a few major plays.

The Bears found themselves in the red zone twice on goal-to-go situations, but the Commanders stopped any scoring attempts. In the first quarter, the ball was batted in the air by the defensive line and intercepted by Jonathan Allen. In the second quarter, after allowing a massive run to Bears running back Khalil Herbert, the Commanders drew a goal line stand to prevent any points from going on the board.

In the second half, the Bears found the Commanders at a weakness, and quarterback Justin Fields heaved a 40-yard touchdown to wide receiver Dante Pettis to put Chicago back in front.

The Commanders needed a spark that the offense couldn’t provide, so special teams had to step up. With eight minutes left in the game, rookie return specialist Velus Jones Jr. muffed the punt and the Commanders recovered inside the 10-yard line. Two plays later, rookie running back Brian Robinson Jr. scored his first NFL touchdown less than two months after being shot in the knee. Robinson ran the ball 17 times for 60 yards on the day.

Kicker Joey Slye had the chance to put the team up eight points, but missed the 48-yard field goal, giving Chicago one final chance to win the game. Fields ran the ball on a 39-yard gain to get the Bears all the way inside the 10-yard line but cornerback Benjamin St-Juste stopped wide receiver Darnell Mooney on the 1-yard line on 4th down to turn the ball over once again …

News / NFL / Sports

Matt Ryan, Russell Wilson stumble as Indianapolis barely wins ugly defensive battle

The Broncos and Colts each entered Thursday night’s AFC showdown battered and bruised, with little offense to show for it. And boy did they keep that up in their prime-time “competition.” Injuries, three-and-outs and forced throws headlined the ugly contest, with Russell Wilson and Matt Ryan taking turns seemingly trying to outdo each other in negative plays. The back-and-forth was so brutal, it turns out, that neither side could reach the end zone in four quarters, combining for six field goals to deadlock in a 9-9 tie that necessitated overtime. The Colts proceeded to win the coin toss, add another field goal, and stuff Denver on a fourth-and-1 in the red zone to secure the 12-9 victory.

The Broncos previously entered halftime up 6-3 thanks to a pair of Brandon McManus field goals, but both teams went into the break — and then later overtime — looking, frankly, like losers. Indy’s win improves the team to 2-2-1, while Denver falls to 2-3 on the year with the defeat. But both teams still have major questions to answer moving forward.

Here are some takeaways from Thursday’s sloppy showdown:

Why the Colts won

It wasn’t because they played a complete game, or anything resembling one, that’s for sure. Ryan was hooting and hollering on his way into the locker room after getting the win, no thanks to he or basically the entire Colts offense. Ryan, 37, looked every bit his age flailing around a collapsing pocket, taking a beating that included six sacks and plenty more hits. It’s a wonder he was still standing upright to lead the go-ahead drive in OT. But give credit to Alec Pierce and Michael Pittman Jr., who made the most of the oft-suspect throws Ryan sent their direction. And definitely give it to the defense, which was without Shaquille Leonard but absolutely manhandled whatever Denver was doing with the ball in its hands. DeForest Buckner led the way up front, headlining a four-sack effort that also pressured Wilson into a pair of rookie-esque interceptions. But the …

Football / News / Sports

Marcus Rashford double helps Man United beat Omonia Nicosia 3-2 in Europa League

Marcus Rashford came off the bench to score twice and help Manchester United overcome a half-time deficit to beat Omonia Nicosia 3-2 in a Europa League group phase clash in Cyprus on Thursday.

With United stunningly trailing to a first-half goal from Karim Ansarifard, Rashford came on at the interval and scored one and set up another for Anthony Martial to turn the game on its head within 20 minutes of his arrival.

Rashford added United’s third with six minutes remaining before Omonia ensured a nervy finale after Nikolas Panagiotou immediately pulled a goal back.

The result leaves United second in Group E on six points, three behind leaders Real Sociedad and three ahead of Sheriff. Omonia, who will visit Old Trafford in a week’s time, remain without a point.

Man United boss Erik ten Hag made three changes to the lineup that was blasted 6-3 by rivals Manchester City on Sunday, with Cristiano Ronaldo, Casemiro and Victor Lindelof coming into the side.

For Ronaldo, playing against the Cypriot cup winners seemed an ideal opportunity to get the one goal he needed for the 700th of his club career.

But while United expectedly dominated play from the off they failed to make that advantage count in the first 45 minutes.

Antony was the chief culprit, missing a glorious chance to open the scoring in just the 16th minute. After Bruno Fernandes ran over a pass from deep by Lisandro Martinez, Anthony found himself clean through on goal but instead of shooting chose to try and lay the ball back to Fernandes. The pass failed to find its target and the chance inexplicably came to nothing.

Fernandes was left frustrated again two minutes later when his chip beat the goalkeeper but came back off the crossbar.

Then in the 34th minute, the visitors were struck by a classic sucker punch.

Tyrell Malacia was caught in possession by Bruno in the Nicosia half while United had everyone ahead of the ball. The Nicosia forward was able to drive forward before finding the …

Football / News / Sports

Napoli hit six past Ajax in record defeat for Eredivisie club

Giacomo Raspadori netted twice as Napoli came from behind to deliver a masterclass and score a runaway 6-1 win at 10-man Ajax Amsterdam in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Captain Giovanni di Lorenzo, Piotr Zielinski, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and substitute Giovanni Simeone added the other goals for the Italian league leaders, after Mohammed Kudus had given the hosts the lead inside the opening 10 minutes.

Napoli, who might have scored more such was their dominance, have a 100% record at the halfway point in Group A, leaving Ajax with three points from their opening three games and in stark danger of missing out on next year’s knockout stages after their biggest defeat in European football.

Ajax coach Alfred Schreuder had warned on the eve of the game about the attacking threat that Napoli posed but, even then, would not have expected his team to be so thoroughly outsmarted.

Ajax, who had lost at Liverpool in their previous group game, went ahead in the ninth minute when Kenneth Taylor’s goal-bound shot hit teammate Kudus on the shin and deflected into the corner of the net.

It proved the only highlight for the packed house at the Amsterdam Arena as Napoli did not take long to work their way into the game, pressing Ajax into mistakes, cutting them apart with swift attacking moves and finishing with aplomb.

Raspadori equalized in the 18th minute with a diving header at the back post at the end of Mathias Olivera’s cross from the right.

A simple corner routine saw Kvaratskhelia, who produced another performance to emphasize his growing reputation in European football, deliver a cross for Di Lorenzo to power home a header for a second goal.

Napoli extended their lead on the stroke of half-time with Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa driving forward from his own half before setting up Zielinski to finish.

Two minutes after the break, Zambo Anguissa then stole possession as Ajax were caught trying to pass their way out of defense and set up Raspadori for his second goal.

Kvaratskhelia made it 5-1 …

Football / Sports

Calhanoglu secures crucial Champions League win over Barcelona

Inter Milan secured a timely Champions League win at the San Siro as Hakan Calhanoglu’s fine strike eased the hosts over the line to a 1-0 win against Group C rivals Barcelona.

Both sides created chances in a busy opening in Milan, with Joaquin Correa seeing a penalty call rejected by VAR, before Calhanoglu stepped up to power the home side in front just before the interval.

Barcelona did look to react after the restart, with Ousmane Dembele posing a constant threat on the counter attack, and Pedri’s equaliser chalked off by VAR.

However, it is Inter who gain a crucial advantage in the group, as they look to overpower Barcelona, in the race for second place, behind Bayern Munich.

Gritty Inter dig in for Inzaghi

Inzaghi came into the game under real pressure, after picking up just eight points in Serie A this season, and three in the Champions League.

Reports from Italy have questioned his long term future at the San Siro but his players produced a battling performance for their manager.

Next week’s trip to the Camp Nou is likely to decide second place in Group C and Inter travel to Catalonia with a key advantage.

Calhanoglu’s superb winner will grab the headlines on the night, but Andre Onana’s crucial stops, and the defensive marshalling of Milan Skriniar, kept Barcelona at bay, to give the former Italian international some breathing space.

Lewandowski’s off-night blunts Barcelona

Robert Lewandowski has been sensational in his first few months as a Barcelona player with 12 goals across all competitions ahead of this tie.

His excellent goal secured a 1-0 win at Mallorca last weekend but he struggled to get into the flow of the contest against a well drilled Inter back line.

Skriniar did brilliantly to restrict him in their one-on-one battles with Dembele providing the visitors main outlet.

Xavi stuck with him in the closing stages, but he was unable to steer home a late chance, from Dembele’s set piece, on a rare blank for the Polish international.

Inter Milan

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Music / News / NFL / Sports

Rihanna returns to Headline 2023 Super Bowl Halftime Show

It is the first scheduled return to the stage for the artist who last performed publicly at the Grammy Awards in early 2018. The music icon, 34, shared an image on Instagram on Sunday hinting that she will perform during the NFL event next year.

In the photo, what appears to be Rihanna’s hand holds up a football. The “Umbrella” singer captioned the post with a single period.

Roc Nation later posted the same image on its respective Instagram account, writing, “Let’s GO,” and tagging Rihanna and the NFL, “#SBLVII.”

“We’re excited to partner with Rihanna, Roc Nation, and the N.F.L. to bring music and sports fans a momentous show,” said Oliver Schusser, Apple’s vice president for Apple Music and Beats.

There’s been an earlier announcement that the Super Bowl LVII halftime show has inked a sponsorship from Apple Music as part of a multi-year deal with the NFL, the league announced earlier this week. Pepsi had previously announced that it would no longer be returning as a sponsor, following its initial sponsorship at the 2007 show starring Prince and an eventual ten-year agreement that began in 2013.

…
News / NFL / Sports

Colts Defense Outduels Mahomes, Ryan Delivers in Win vs. Chiefs

They heard the headlines all week long.

After tying the Houston Texans in Week 1 and dropping to the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 2, everything was called into question with the Indianapolis Colts.

Why couldn’t this Colts defense, who added former Pro Bowlers in multiple spots, handle the lowly Texans and Jaguars? Was the trade for Matt Ryan a mistake? What was wrong with the highly-paid offensive line? Were Chris Ballard and Frank Reich on the hot seat?

The questions, harsh as they have been, were warranted after the slow 0-1-1 start. And on top of everything, the mighty Kansas City Chiefs were coming to town looking to stay undefeated.

So, in typical Colts fashion, they played their best ball against the best teams, grabbing a 20-17 victory over one of the Super Bowl favorites in Lucas Oil Stadium.

“Great team win,” Reich said after the game. “What we were talking about in (the locker room) a minute ago was just the ultimate team win in all three phases. We’ve said kind of coming into this year, that’s the kind of team we feel like we have, that we can be good in all three phases. That’s what it takes to beat a team like the Kansas City Chiefs, and that’s what we got today.”

All three phases had a major impact in the win over the Chiefs. It was a total team effort for the Colts to finally get their first win of the season.

Special teams got things started for the Colts. After a three-and-out to start the game by the Colts offense, Matt Haack punted the ball deep in Chiefs territory where it was muffed by returner Skyy Moore. The Colts recovered the muffed punt, setting up the first touchdown of the day from Ryan to rookie Jelani Woods. Special teams did not stop there. Kick and punt coverage was solid all day for the Colts, not allowing a Chiefs’ return man to get free. When the Chiefs tried to catch the Colts off guard with a …

News / NFL / Sports

Cleveland Browns exorcise Pittsburgh Steelers, fourth-quarter demons to move into AFC North lead

The Browns faced down a lot of demons in Thursday night’s 29-17 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

They faced a long-time nemesis in the Steelers. They faced a two-score fourth-quarter lead. They even faced another onside kick.

This time, unlike each of the past two games, they didn’t lose a two-score lead in the fourth quarter. They didn’t let an onside kick get recovered.

And, unlike so many times since their return to the league in 1999, they didn’t lose to the Steelers. Instead, the Browns bounced back from Sunday’s crushing loss to the New York Jets to beat Pittsburgh and earn no worse than a share of first place in the AFC North through three weeks.

Cleveland saw it go ahead by nine early in the fourth quarter at 29-14. It saw Pittsburgh pull within 23-17 with 1:57 remaining. Then Anthony Schwartz made sure the onside kick was batted out of bounds. That’s even though the Steelers assisted in being offsides on the play, giving the ball back to the Browns.

Nick Chubb gets going in first quarter

Nick Chubb didn’t waste much time showing off his superhuman skills. On his second carry, he ripped off a 13-yard run that he closed out with a leap over a diving Steeler defender.

Chubb then set up the Browns’ first score with a 36-yard run that could’ve ended in the end zone. However, his teammate, Donovan Peoples-Jones, seemed to drag him down at the Steeler 12.

Two plays later, Jacoby Brissett hit Amari Cooper for an 11-yard touchdown strike between Pittsburgh’s Minkah Fitzpatrick and Terrell Edmunds to put Cleveland in front 7-0 with 2:57 remaining.

George Pickens’ highlight-reel catch helps Steelers tie the game

The Steelers’ deep passing game had been basically non-existent coming into the game. However, it was Mitch Trubisky’s second deep throw of the night − and a highlight-reel catch by George Pickens − that got them back to even. Pickens was being tightly guarded by fellow rookie Martin Emerson Jr. when he pulled in a …

Football / Sports

Vinicius Jr. ignores racist chants, keeps dancing in Madrid derby vs. Atletico; Real Madrid stay perfect in LaLiga

A tense, chippy affair ended in a 2-1 win for Real Madrid, who stay perfect in LaLiga this season amid jeering for Vinicius Junior from Atletico’s fans.

Goals from Rodrygo and Federico Valverde put Real Madrid ahead early, and a goal from Atletico’s Mario Hermoso followed by a red card eight minutes later didn’t do much to help the hosts’ cause.

Rapid Reaction

1. Rodrygo, Valverde and Vinicius are Madrid’s future

It’s happened fast, but this season already feels like the beginning of a new era at Real Madrid, with Rodrygo (21 years old), Vinicius Junior (22) and Fede Valverde (24) as this team’s new stars.

It’s a process that began during last year’s Champions League run and is now impossible to ignore. One or more of Rodrygo, Vinicius and Valverde have scored in each of Madrid’s last seven games — Rodrygo’s opener made it three league games scoring in a row for him — and together they sum up this fast, direct, clinical Madrid team.

Veterans like Luka Modric and Toni Kroos are still very much present — both were excellent against Atletico — and of course Karim Benzema will come back into the team when he returns from injury. But this was a night that was all about Madrid’s vibrant, irrepressible front three.

After a positive start from Atletico, it was Rodrygo who opened the scoring, firing Aurelien Tchouameni’s floated pass beyond Jan Oblak, and when Vinicius’ low shot hit the post and rebounded across goal, Valverde was there to make it 2-0 and effectively end the contest, despite Atletico’s late fightback. Amid all the noise of a frantic Madrid derby, those two moments of quality made the difference.

2. Appalling racist chants demand action from Atletico

The footage of a group of Atletico Madrid fans singing a full-throated racist chant directed at Vinicius outside the Metropolitano stadium before this game was sickening, dispiriting and, unfortunately, nothing new.

Atletico’s hardcore group of ultras, the Frente Atletico, have been guilty of such incidents on numerous occasions before — …

Football / News / Sports

Gunners cruise, remain top of the table

Arsenal cruised past Brentford to stay top of the Premier League table heading into the international break.

Goals from William Saliba and Gabriel Jesus set them on their way in the first half and a stunner from Fabio Vieira sealed the win, as Mikel Arteta’s side responded superbly following their first setback of the season last-time out at Manchester United.

The victory means Arsenal have won six of their first seven games this season and sit atop the table on 19 points, one point clear of second-place Manchester City. Brentford have nine points and Thomas Frank’s side just weren’t at the races on Sunday.

What we learned from Brentford vs Arsenal

This win underlines Arsenal’s progress: Their horrendous defeat at Brentford at the start of last season underlined all of the issues Arsenal had. Just over 12 months later, this convincing win underlined the progress they’ve made. A clear playing style with a young, hungry side who have been painstakingly recruited. Even with Martin Odegaard and Oleksandr Zinchenko out, Kieran Tierney and Vieira slotted in seamlessly as Arteta’s side dominated from start to finish. They are playing with confidence throughout the team and after a few years of building, this is what Arsenal wanted to become. The only issue is the fact that their squad looked pretty thin as a few injuries piled up with teenagers on the bench and Ethan Nwaneri, 15, became the youngest Premier League player in history when he came on late in the game. With the Europa League and League Cup coming up in the weeks after the international break, Arteta will be hoping his squad remains healthy to make the most of all of this positive momentum.

Brentford energy levels unusually low: It was a real off day for the Bees as they suffered their heaviest home defeat since being promoted to the Premier League. Thomas Frank’s side just weren’t at it as usually they push high, force teams into mistakes and pounce on loose balls. There was none of that on …

Sports / Tennis

Roger Federer Is Retiring From Tennis After $1B in Endorsements—Here’s How Much He’s Worth

Roger Federer is regarded as one of the greatest athletes in tennis and with that comes millions in prize money and around $1 billion in endorsements. It’s understandable, then, if you’re curious how much he made over his 24-year career and what Roger Federer’s net worth is now that he’s retired.

After 20 Grand Slam singles titles, two Olympic medals, and holding the record for the longest consecutive weeks as world No. 1 (237 weeks, to be exact), Federer announced he was retiring from tennis on September 15, 2022. “As many of you know, the past three years have presented me with challenges in the form of injuries and surgeries,” he said in an audio clip shared on social media. “I’ve worked hard to return to full competitive form. But I also know my body’s capacities and limits, and its message to me lately has been clear. I am 41 years old, I have played more than 1,500 matches over 24 years. Tennis has treated me more generously than I ever would have dreamed and now I must recognize when it is time to end my competitive career.” He continued that the Laver Cup in London would be his final professional tournament, though he would continue to play tennis recreationally. “This is a bittersweet decision because I will miss everything the tour has given me. But at the same time, there is so much to celebrate. I consider myself one of the most fortunate people on earth.”

What is Roger Federer’s net worth?

Roger Federer’s net worth is estimated to be around $550 million and has earned $130.5 million in prize money over more than two decades in the sport. Because everyone has to start somewhere, Federer started off earning a modest $28,00 in his first year of professional tennis. Year by year, his career earnings grew to $129 million by the time of his retirement. That’s the third highest in tennis history, just under Rafael Nadal’s $131.6m and Novak Djokovic’s total of $145m. 2007 was his most lucrative year …

Football / Sports

Chelsea sack Thomas Tuchel after shock Champions League defeat by Dinamo Zagreb

Chelsea have sacked Thomas Tuchel in the wake of Tuesday’s chastening 1-0 Champions League defeat at Dinamo Zagreb, the Premier League club have announced.

German coach Tuchel led Chelsea to the Champions League title in 2021 and the Club World Cup crown in 2022, but has paid the price for an indifferent start to the new campaign. New owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali have worked hard all summer to impose their authority at Chelsea, but this represents the boldest and most sweeping change yet.…

Football / Sports

Marcus Rashford scores twice to Lift United against streaking Gunners

Manchester United ended Arsenal’s winning start to the Premier League season in a thrilling clash that saw Antony score on his debut and Marcus Rashford hit a quick-fire double after Bukayo Saka had equalized in the second half.

After a bright start by both teams, Arsenal thought they had struck first as Gabriel Martinelli finished a devastating counter-attack but the goal was ruled out by VAR for an earlier foul on Christian Eriksen.

From there Arsenal took control but the Gunners were torn apart by United on the break, as Rashford set up Antony to steer a first-time finish past Aaron Ramsdale for a debut goal following his €100m move from Ajax.

Arsenal responded after the break with chances through Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka, before the England international fired a deserved equalizer on the hour-mark. It seemed as if Arsenal had the momentum, but they were hit with a counter-punch as Rashford raced away to restore their lead.

It was the latest swing in a thrilling match and with Arsenal pushing forward with more numbers, Rashford scored his second to seal United’s fourth straight win and end Arsenal’s unbeaten start.
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