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Hernandez on Target as Columbus Down Monterrey in Champions Cup Semi

Columbus forward Cucho Hernandez dribbles past Monterrey's Jesus Gallardo in their CONCACAF Champions Cup semi-final. Jason Mowry / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP
Columbus forward Cucho Hernandez dribbles past Monterrey's Jesus Gallardo in their CONCACAF Champions Cup semi-final. Jason Mowry / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP
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Hernandez on Target as Columbus Down Monterrey in Champions Cup Semi

Columbus forward Cucho Hernandez dribbles past Monterrey's Jesus Gallardo in their CONCACAF Champions Cup semi-final. Jason Mowry / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP
Columbus forward Cucho Hernandez dribbles past Monterrey's Jesus Gallardo in their CONCACAF Champions Cup semi-final. Jason Mowry / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP

Cucho Hernandez was on target as Columbus Crew defeated Mexico's Monterrey 2-1 in their CONCACAF Champions Cup semi-final first leg clash in Ohio on Wednesday.
Colombian forward Hernandez delivered a sparkling performance capped with a well-taken first-half goal to help Columbus take a slender advantage into next week's return in Mexico, said AFP.
Jacen Russell-Rowe headed home the winner for Columbus from a corner on 72 minutes after Maximiliano Meza had leveled for Monterrey just after half-time.
The Major League Soccer champions -- who produced a stunning upset of Mexican side Tigres in the quarter-finals -- once again proved to be more than a match for Liga-MX opposition.
Monterrey started brightly and could have taken the lead through US international forward Brandon Vazquez, whose snap shot from six yards out was well-saved by Crew goalkeeper Patrick Schulte after six minutes.
But after that early scare, Columbus dominated for long periods, with Hernandez at the heart of most of their attacks at Lower Field.
The Colombian almost set up an opener for Diego Rossi on 17 minutes, but the Uruguayan directed his attempted finish just wide of the post.
Moments later Hernandez saw a vicious shot well-saved by Monterrey goalkeeper Esteban Andrada.
Columbus's pressure paid off after 26 minutes though, with Hernandez working a one-two with Russell-Rowe on the edge of the area and finishing crisply past Andrada for 1-0.
Hernandez almost doubled the Crew lead on the stroke of half-time, but was once again denied by Andrada as the besieged Monterrey goalkeeper beat away a superb shot.
Columbus were rocked on 58 minutes though when Monterrey equalized. Jesus Gallardo ghosted past Sean Zawadzki far too easily down the left and crossed for Meza who jabbed in the finish.
But Zawadzki made amends on 72 minutes, delivering the corner which picked out Russell-Rowe at the far post whose header bounced up and into the net past Andrada.
The second leg takes place in Monterrey next Wednesday.

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Sports

Russell Fends Off Verstappen to Win in Baku, Antonelli 5th

26 September 2026, Azerbaijan, Baku: British formula One driver George Russell of team Mercedes celebrates on the podium after winning the Azerbaijan Formula One Grand Prix at Baku City Circuit. Photo: James Gasperotti/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
26 September 2026, Azerbaijan, Baku: British formula One driver George Russell of team Mercedes celebrates on the podium after winning the Azerbaijan Formula One Grand Prix at Baku City Circuit. Photo: James Gasperotti/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
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Russell Fends Off Verstappen to Win in Baku, Antonelli 5th

26 September 2026, Azerbaijan, Baku: British formula One driver George Russell of team Mercedes celebrates on the podium after winning the Azerbaijan Formula One Grand Prix at Baku City Circuit. Photo: James Gasperotti/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
26 September 2026, Azerbaijan, Baku: British formula One driver George Russell of team Mercedes celebrates on the podium after winning the Azerbaijan Formula One Grand Prix at Baku City Circuit. Photo: James Gasperotti/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa

George Russell closed the gap to championship-leading Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli at the top of the Formula One standings after fending off Red Bull’s Max Verstappen to complete a lights-to-flag win in Saturday’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix, with the Italian fifth.

Russell took the flag just 0.196 seconds ahead of the flying Dutchman, who had started eighth but crossed the line nearly side-by-side with his Mercedes rival, after two safety car phases turned a Saturday cruise into a fight for survival for the Briton.

Frenchman Isack Hadjar completed a double podium for Red Bull, repaying the team’s decision to give him a contract extension with third on his return to racing action.

“It’s amazing to be back on the top step of the podium,” said Russell, after closing the gap to Antonelli from 81 to 66 points in the overall standings with 15 races completed.

“Every ⁠race since the (summer) ⁠break I have gone from strength to strength and I feel more like myself again.”

Antonelli had started 16th after a rare error saw him crash out of Friday’s qualifying.

His drive on Saturday was less like his Monza charge – where he went from 19th to first – and more a slow-burn recovery.

Saturday’s win was the eighth of Russell’s career, his third of the season and first since the Austrian Grand Prix in June, Reuters reported.

It capped a dominant weekend for the Briton and had seemed a mere formality, with the 28-year-old leading off the line and opening up a ⁠comfortable lead ahead of McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, Verstappen and Hadjar.

But all that changed on the 31st of the race’s 51 laps when a crash for Williams racer Alex Albon brought out the safety car.

Russell’s 11-second lead evaporated as the safety car bunched up the field.

Verstappen snatched second from Piastri into the first corner as the action resumed, with Russell unchallenged.

But the race was neutralised almost instantly by another safety car when Argentine Franco Colapinto locked up and ploughed into Alpine teammate Pierre Gasly, who in turn collected McLaren’s reigning champion Lando Norris.

Colapinto, who was given a 10-second time penalty, continued but the contact put both Gasly and Norris out of the race.

The fuming Briton called for the 23-year-old Colapinto to be banned.

Russell had Verstappen right on his tail at the second restart.

The Mercedes driver kept the lead but was unable to shake off the chasing Red Bull, with the pair trading fastest laps.

It ⁠looked like the Dutchman, brushing ⁠the barriers as he hunted down his first win of the season, might just snatch victory on the final dash to the line but the Briton doggedly clung on.

“We had a good race, a tricky first stint on the mediums (tires) but we got a good restart,” said Verstappen.

“Then the final lap George lost boost and I got close, but it was not enough.”

Behind them, Hadjar inherited third when Piastri locked up and took to the run-off area.

The Australian, who had started third, dropped to 14th compounding a miserable day for McLaren.

“It has been a very long six weeks since I injured myself,” said Hadjar, who missed the last three races with a wrist injury.

“It was the right time to come back, I felt strong, I took it step by step to gain the confidence,” added the 21-year-old who was also on the podium in Monaco.

Charles Leclerc was fourth for Ferrari. His seven-times world champion teammate Lewis Hamilton was sixth.

Racing Bulls rookie Arvid Lindblad was seventh while Esteban Ocon took eighth ahead of teammate Oliver Bearman in a double points finish for Haas.

Carlos Sainz rounded out the top 10 for Williams.

Sports

Ireland Players Vote to Play Israel Tie despite Gaza Unease

Ireland's Seamus Coleman walks as tennis balls are thrown on to the pitch during the international friendly soccer match between Ireland and Qatar in Dublin, Ireland, Thursday, May 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison) License this photo
Ireland's Seamus Coleman walks as tennis balls are thrown on to the pitch during the international friendly soccer match between Ireland and Qatar in Dublin, Ireland, Thursday, May 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison) License this photo
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Ireland Players Vote to Play Israel Tie despite Gaza Unease

Ireland's Seamus Coleman walks as tennis balls are thrown on to the pitch during the international friendly soccer match between Ireland and Qatar in Dublin, Ireland, Thursday, May 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison) License this photo
Ireland's Seamus Coleman walks as tennis balls are thrown on to the pitch during the international friendly soccer match between Ireland and Qatar in Dublin, Ireland, Thursday, May 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison) License this photo

Players from Ireland's football team voted on Saturday to fulfil a UEFA Nations League tie with Israel despite player unease over the war in Gaza.

"We carried out a vote amongst the squad to establish their sentiment on fulfilling the (Israel) fixtures," Football Association of Ireland head David Courell told reporters in Debrecen, Hungary, where the game will take place on Sunday.

"It was a significant majority that was returned with the intention to continue," said Courell, AFP reported.

"Based on that, the association took the decision on behalf of Irish football that this fixture would continue as we have always intended to fulfil the fixtures," he said.

Ireland are scheduled to play two Nations League fixtures against Israel, with the first -- officially Israel's home fixture - to be played at the neutral venue in Hungary.

Ireland's designated home match on October 4 was moved from Dublin's Aviva Stadium to Backa Topola, Serbia, following concerns over disruption and security.

Ireland has long been a strong supporter of the Palestinian cause, with sympathy often linked to the country's own history of British rule.

Dublin formally recognized a Palestinian state in 2024 alongside Spain and Norway, and has repeatedly criticised Israel over the Gaza conflict.

Israel strongly rejects allegations its conduct in Gaza amounts to genocide.

Since Ireland were drawn in the same Nations League group as Israel prominent Irish figures including sportspeople, as well as fan groups and pro-Palestinian campaigners have protested against the ties going ahead.

Ireland's Icelandic manager Heimir Hallgrimsson told the press conference that one unnamed player has decided to withdraw from the squad for the Israel game.

The player's decision triggered the delay of a scheduled press conference on Saturday, and a decision to hold the vote amongst the squad about whether to fulfil the fixture or not.

"Nobody is comfortable playing these games for many reasons," said Hallgrimsson.

"We are trying to tackle it in the best way we can at the moment," he said.

Ireland players will not fulfil any media duties tomorrow, or against Austria in Dublin on October 1st, or around the game against Israel in Serbia three days later, said Courell.

The players will wear black armbands "for all lives lost in the conflict" during Sunday's match with profits from the Austria game to be donated to charity, while the players will also donate their match fees, he said.

There will be no handshakes or a pennant exchange with Israeli players before kick-off, he added.

Sunday's match comes days after national broadcaster RTE confirmed Ireland would again boycott the Eurovision Song Contest next year because of Israel's participation.

In a rare move for a state broadcaster RTE said earlier it will show the game, but without Irish commentary or pundits.

 

 

 

 

Sports

Man City Confident they Can Prove 'Innocence' over Charges, Says Chairman

Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak is seen before a match. Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - September 18, 2024. Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith/File Photo
Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak is seen before a match. Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - September 18, 2024. Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith/File Photo
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Man City Confident they Can Prove 'Innocence' over Charges, Says Chairman

Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak is seen before a match. Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - September 18, 2024. Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith/File Photo
Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak is seen before a match. Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - September 18, 2024. Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith/File Photo

Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak said Saturday that the club were confident they could prove their innocence after they were reportedly found guilty of more than 100 charges relating to breaches of Premier League financial rules.

News of the decisions reached by an independent tribunal was reported on Friday but no official announcement has been made by the Premier League and there is no firm indication of any potential punishment, according to AFP.

"The Premier League process still has a long way to run, and our confidence and intent in proving the club's innocence is just as strong as when this began," he said in an open letter to City fans on the club's website.

"There are so many things that I would like to be able to share with you to help you understand why we feel so confident in our position.

"But the strict confidentiality of the legal process and our determination to respect it means I cannot do that at the moment."

"While some people have been quick to reach their own conclusions, and there is so much noise swirling around us, nothing has changed," he said.

"We have faced challenges together before and have prevailed. There remain many who want to undermine the momentum of our club. We will not give them that opportunity."