Verstappen Wins Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix

Formula One F1 - Spanish Grand Prix - Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain - June 23, 2024 Red Bull's Max Verstappen celebrates after winning the Spanish Grand Prix REUTERS/Albert Gea
Formula One F1 - Spanish Grand Prix - Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain - June 23, 2024 Red Bull's Max Verstappen celebrates after winning the Spanish Grand Prix REUTERS/Albert Gea
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Verstappen Wins Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix

Formula One F1 - Spanish Grand Prix - Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain - June 23, 2024 Red Bull's Max Verstappen celebrates after winning the Spanish Grand Prix REUTERS/Albert Gea
Formula One F1 - Spanish Grand Prix - Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain - June 23, 2024 Red Bull's Max Verstappen celebrates after winning the Spanish Grand Prix REUTERS/Albert Gea

Max Verstappen steered his Red Bull to victory at the Spanish Grand Prix on Sunday to increase his lead in the Formula 1 drivers championship.

Verstappen started from second on the grid behind pole-sitter Lando Norris. But the three-time champion whipped past the McLaren driver by the first turn and then overtook George Russell on lap three of 66 and never looked back.

Norris tried to mount a late challenge but Verstappen upped the pace to cross first. Norris was second, followed by Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes in third.

Verstappen got his seventh win in 10 races this season and claimed his third straight victory at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalonia.



Japan's King Kazu, 59, Scores Twice from Spot to Make Cup History

(FILES) Japanese footballer Kazuyoshi Miura speaks during a press conference to announce his joining of Fukushima United FC in the J-League third division, in Tokyo on January 9, 2026. (Photo by Kazuhiro NOGI / AFP)
(FILES) Japanese footballer Kazuyoshi Miura speaks during a press conference to announce his joining of Fukushima United FC in the J-League third division, in Tokyo on January 9, 2026. (Photo by Kazuhiro NOGI / AFP)
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Japan's King Kazu, 59, Scores Twice from Spot to Make Cup History

(FILES) Japanese footballer Kazuyoshi Miura speaks during a press conference to announce his joining of Fukushima United FC in the J-League third division, in Tokyo on January 9, 2026. (Photo by Kazuhiro NOGI / AFP)
(FILES) Japanese footballer Kazuyoshi Miura speaks during a press conference to announce his joining of Fukushima United FC in the J-League third division, in Tokyo on January 9, 2026. (Photo by Kazuhiro NOGI / AFP)

Kazuyoshi Miura scored twice from the penalty spot as the 59-year-old striker became the oldest goalscorer in the history of Japan's longest-running cup competition.

Miura, known as "King Kazu" and now in his 42nd season as a professional, played a key role as third division Fukushima United thrashed non-league Oyama Soccer Club 7-0 in the Emperor's Cup, which is now in its 106th year.

He scored in the qualifying rounds of the competition in late July.

It is the first time Miura has scored more than one goal in a match since he was on target for Australian side Sydney FC in November 2005.

Miura, Japan's first football superstar when the professional J. League launched in the early 1990s, said he practices penalties almost every day after training.

"You never know when it might be your turn," he told reporters after his latest feat on Wednesday.

"That's why I practice them all the time. I'm glad it paid off."

The goals smashed the record for the Emperor's Cup's oldest goalscorer, held by former Japan international Shinji Ono, who was 41 at the time.

Miura started the game as captain and played until he was substituted in the 58th minute.
He stepped up to bury his first spot kick in the 12th minute, then repeated the trick in the 55th after he was brought down in the box.

"There was a unique, quiet atmosphere with none of the opposition fans booing," AFP quoted him as saying.

"I could feel everyone's eyes on me. I'm glad I could put them away in those circumstances."
Miura made his professional debut in 1986 for Brazilian team Santos and has also played in Italy, Croatia, Australia and Portugal.

He made his Japan debut in 1990 but was famously left out of the squad for their first World Cup finals appearance in 1998, despite scoring 55 goals in 89 games for the national side.
He joined Fukushima in January and said he wanted to repay his new team's faith in him with goals and assists.


Paul Ousts Top Seed Zverev to Reach Cincinnati Quarter-finals

MASON, OHIO - AUGUST 19: Tommy Paul of the United States hugs Alexander Zverev of Germany after a match on day nine of the Cincinnati Open at Lindner Family Tennis Center on August 19, 2026 in Mason, Ohio. Emilee Chinn/Getty Images/AFP
MASON, OHIO - AUGUST 19: Tommy Paul of the United States hugs Alexander Zverev of Germany after a match on day nine of the Cincinnati Open at Lindner Family Tennis Center on August 19, 2026 in Mason, Ohio. Emilee Chinn/Getty Images/AFP
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Paul Ousts Top Seed Zverev to Reach Cincinnati Quarter-finals

MASON, OHIO - AUGUST 19: Tommy Paul of the United States hugs Alexander Zverev of Germany after a match on day nine of the Cincinnati Open at Lindner Family Tennis Center on August 19, 2026 in Mason, Ohio. Emilee Chinn/Getty Images/AFP
MASON, OHIO - AUGUST 19: Tommy Paul of the United States hugs Alexander Zverev of Germany after a match on day nine of the Cincinnati Open at Lindner Family Tennis Center on August 19, 2026 in Mason, Ohio. Emilee Chinn/Getty Images/AFP

Tommy Paul saved a match point to defeat top seed Alexander Zverev 4-6 7-6(6) 6-4 and reach the quarter-finals of the Cincinnati Open on Wednesday after a nearly 90-minute rain delay.

German world number three Zverev took the first set and trailed 3-4 in the second before ⁠the fourth-round match ⁠was suspended due to rain.

Paul emerged from the lengthy delay looking the sharper player, saving a match point before levelling the contest as Zverev ⁠struggled to find his rhythm.

The German took a 4-2 lead in the third set but Paul dug his heels in to take control of the match, rallying to win four straight games in a stunning comeback to advance to the quarter-finals in Cincinnati for the ⁠first ⁠time.

Zverev's 14 aces were accompanied by nine double faults, with his service game looking shaky at times after he was called for a foot fault in the third set, Reuters reported.

Paul will next play Flavio Cobolli after the Italian earlier defeated Spain's Rafael Jodar 4-6 7-6(3) 6-3.


Playing at Real Madrid ‘Not for Everyone’, Says Bernardo Silva

Pre-Season Friendly - Schalke 04 v Real Madrid - Veltins-Arena, Gelsenkirchen, Germany - August 16, 2026 Real Madrid's Bernardo Silva during the warm up before the match. (Reuters)
Pre-Season Friendly - Schalke 04 v Real Madrid - Veltins-Arena, Gelsenkirchen, Germany - August 16, 2026 Real Madrid's Bernardo Silva during the warm up before the match. (Reuters)
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Playing at Real Madrid ‘Not for Everyone’, Says Bernardo Silva

Pre-Season Friendly - Schalke 04 v Real Madrid - Veltins-Arena, Gelsenkirchen, Germany - August 16, 2026 Real Madrid's Bernardo Silva during the warm up before the match. (Reuters)
Pre-Season Friendly - Schalke 04 v Real Madrid - Veltins-Arena, Gelsenkirchen, Germany - August 16, 2026 Real Madrid's Bernardo Silva during the warm up before the match. (Reuters)

Bernardo Silva said playing for Real Madrid "is not for everyone" after the Portugal midfielder was presented by the 15-time European champions on Wednesday.

The 31-year-old, who joined from Manchester City at the end of his contract this summer, said he was proud to join the world's most successful club.

"I've already played quite a few times at the Bernabeu -- when you arrive and see the 15 Champions League titles they display there, it's very imposing, and having them here is very special," Silva told club television channel Real Madrid TV.

"Playing for a club that has 15 Champions League titles is not for everyone, so I'm very proud and now I'll give everything for this club."

Silva's former Manchester City team-mate Rodri joined Madrid's rivals Barcelona on Tuesday.

The Spanish midfielder had been linked with Real Madrid and new Los Blancos coach Jose Mourinho said he had spoken with Rodri earlier in the summer.

"I spoke with him a couple of times, and Real Madrid made him a very good offer," Mourinho told Spanish television show El Chiringuito this week.

"Rodri had doubts... and the doubts of Rodri created doubts for me.

"He's an extraordinary player and was very professional with us, nothing negative to say. But Real Madrid is a club of a stature that can't have players who think twice about it."