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Lionel Messi's 6th Brace in 7 Games Seals Inter Miami's Win over Red Bulls

CINCINNATI, OHIO - JULY 16: Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF shoots during the MLS match between FC Cincinnati and Inter Miami CF at TQL Stadium on July 16, 2025 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Jeff Dean/Getty Images/AFP
CINCINNATI, OHIO - JULY 16: Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF shoots during the MLS match between FC Cincinnati and Inter Miami CF at TQL Stadium on July 16, 2025 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Jeff Dean/Getty Images/AFP
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Lionel Messi's 6th Brace in 7 Games Seals Inter Miami's Win over Red Bulls

CINCINNATI, OHIO - JULY 16: Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF shoots during the MLS match between FC Cincinnati and Inter Miami CF at TQL Stadium on July 16, 2025 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Jeff Dean/Getty Images/AFP
CINCINNATI, OHIO - JULY 16: Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF shoots during the MLS match between FC Cincinnati and Inter Miami CF at TQL Stadium on July 16, 2025 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Jeff Dean/Getty Images/AFP

Lionel Messi had two goals and two assists to lead Inter Miami to a bounce- back 5-1 victory over the host New York Red Bulls on Saturday night in Harrison, N.J.

Messi and Inter Miami (12-4-5, 41 points) erased a 1-0 first-half deficit with a flurry of goals late in the first half -- two of them coming off the foot of Telasco Segovia -- that staked the Herons to a 3-1 halftime lead, Reuters said.

Miami won its sixth MLS match in its past seven after having a five-game winning streak snapped at FC Cincinnati on Wednesday. Messi saw the end of his MLS-record streak of five matches scoring multiple goals, only to record a brace on Saturday.

The Red Bulls (9-9-6, 33 points) failed to string together consecutive wins at home and lost to Inter Miami for the second time this season.

New York scored its lone goal in the 15th minute when Emil Forsberg lifted a corner kick in front of Miami goalkeeper Rocco Rios Novo's line of sight. Alexander Hack then kicked it home for the score despite having defender Federico Redondo draped all over him.

Rios Novo made his second start this season for Oscar Ustari, who sat out with an injury.

Jordi Alba, who exited the game in the 84th minute with what appeared to be a leg cramp, scored his first goal of the season in MLS league play off a cross from Messi in the 24th minute to tie the game1-1.

Inter Miami took the lead for good in the 27th when Luis Suarez, who assisted on the first goal, sent a ball ahead to Messi, who then directed it quickly to Alba, who then crossed it back to Segovia for an easy shot into the back of the net.

In the third minute of first-half stoppage time, Redondo advanced the ball into the Red Bulls' box but could not fire off a shot. Segovia, though, surged in and fired a shot off a rebound past Carlos Miguel Coronel for a third goal.

Messi followed with goals in the 60th and 75th minutes to seal the outcome.

Messi increased his total goals in MLS games to 18 this season and has contributed on 27 scores.

The Red Bulls mustered nine shots in the match, but they were outshot 8-1 in shots on target.

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Sports

FC Barcelona President Praises Saudi Arabia’s Sports Infrastructure

Laporta thanked Saudi fans for their strong support of FC Barcelona - SPA
Laporta thanked Saudi fans for their strong support of FC Barcelona - SPA
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FC Barcelona President Praises Saudi Arabia’s Sports Infrastructure

Laporta thanked Saudi fans for their strong support of FC Barcelona - SPA
Laporta thanked Saudi fans for their strong support of FC Barcelona - SPA

FC Barcelona President Joan Laporta said the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has established itself on the global sporting stage by hosting major events, most notably the Spanish Super Cup.

In a press statement, he praised the Kingdom’s advanced sporting facilities and infrastructure, noting that coaches and players found the training grounds to be of the highest quality, the pitches excellent, and the overall organization exemplary, SPA reported.

“We are delighted to be in Jeddah,” Laporta said, adding that the high standard of facilities is essential for teams competing over several days, and thanking the organizers for their efforts.

Commenting on Saudi Arabia hosting the 2034 FIFA World Cup, Laporta predicted a highly successful tournament, citing the country’s safety, outstanding football infrastructure, and passionate fan base. He noted that while the culture is different, cultural diversity always enriches the experience, and a World Cup held in such an atmosphere is bound to be exceptional.

Laporta also thanked Saudi fans for their strong support of FC Barcelona and expressed hope of winning the Spanish Super Cup final to bring joy to supporters in the Kingdom and around the world.

Sports

Salah and Fellow Stars Aim to Deny Morocco as AFCON Reaches Semi-final Stage

Soccer Football - CAF Africa Cup of Nations - Morocco 2025 - Quarter Final - Egypt v Ivory Coast - Adrar Stadium, Agadir, Morocco - January 10, 2026 Egypt's Mohamed Salah scores their third goal REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko
Soccer Football - CAF Africa Cup of Nations - Morocco 2025 - Quarter Final - Egypt v Ivory Coast - Adrar Stadium, Agadir, Morocco - January 10, 2026 Egypt's Mohamed Salah scores their third goal REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko
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Salah and Fellow Stars Aim to Deny Morocco as AFCON Reaches Semi-final Stage

Soccer Football - CAF Africa Cup of Nations - Morocco 2025 - Quarter Final - Egypt v Ivory Coast - Adrar Stadium, Agadir, Morocco - January 10, 2026 Egypt's Mohamed Salah scores their third goal REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko
Soccer Football - CAF Africa Cup of Nations - Morocco 2025 - Quarter Final - Egypt v Ivory Coast - Adrar Stadium, Agadir, Morocco - January 10, 2026 Egypt's Mohamed Salah scores their third goal REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko

The Africa Cup of Nations has reached the semi-final stage and a tournament devoid of shocks now offers up two mouthwatering ties with hosts Morocco looking to see off the challenges of their fellow continental heavyweights.

Mohamed Salah's Egypt, Victor Osimhen's Nigeria and Sadio Mane's Senegal all remain in contention to win the trophy in Rabat next Sunday, even if home advantage still makes Morocco favorites.

World Cup semi-finalists in 2022, Morocco are Africa's top-ranked team and approach Wednesday's semi-final against Nigeria in the capital defending an unbeaten record since losing to South Africa at the last AFCON, Reuters reported.

Walid Regragui's side have conceded just one goal in five matches here and doubts about their ability to handle the enormous pressure of playing at home were blown away with their performance in beating Cameroon 2-0 in the quarter-finals.

Captain and current African player of the year Achraf Hakimi is fit again after injury, and in Real Madrid winger Brahim Diaz -- scorer of five goals in five games -- they have probably the tournament's outstanding player.

"He can become the best player in the world if he wants to," remarked Regragui after the Cameroon game.

Morocco are Africa's leading power right now and, unlike Nigeria, are gearing up for the World Cup.

But their Cup of Nations record down the years has been underwhelming. This is their first semi-final since 2004, when they lost the final to Tunisia.

Going further back, Morocco beat Nigeria en route to lifting the trophy in 1976 -- half a century on, that remains their only continental title.

Nigeria returned to Morocco with much to prove after a penalty shoot-out defeat by the Democratic Republic of Congo in a November play-off in Rabat ended their hopes of World Cup qualification.

There might be 10 African countries participating at the World Cup and it is remarkable that Nigeria -- with its footballing pedigree and the largest population on the continent -- will not be among them.

However, their performances over the last three weeks have shown that to be an anomaly.

- Egypt and Senegal meet again -

Nigeria were runners-up at the last Cup of Nations in 2024. Led by two former African players of the year in Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, they are this tournament's top scorers with 14 goals.

So what has changed from the failed World Cup qualifying campaign?

"Nothing," said coach Eric Chelle, appointed exactly a year ago. "This is the same team. The difference is just that they have improved because they know what I want."

Shocks have been effectively non-existent at this AFCON but Nigeria's presence means four of the five top-ranked African teams are in the semis -- the exception is Algeria, beaten by the Super Eagles on Saturday.

Wednesday's other semi-final in Tangiers between Egypt and Senegal is a repeat of the 2022 final, which the Lions of Teranga won on penalties.

Senegal, ranked second in Africa and 19th in the world, were seen as the biggest threat to Morocco before the tournament and stand one game away from a third final appearance in four editions.

They have an experienced side which includes Mane, who will come up against his old Liverpool teammate Salah.

Their presence means the last five players to win the African player of the year prize are all in the semi-finals.

Salah, who like Osimhen has four goals at the tournament, has never won AFCON, having twice been a losing finalist.

He came to Morocco having fallen from favor at his club but seems to have found happiness again with his national team as he looks to fire Egypt to a record-extending eighth title.

"I have won almost every honor, but this is the one I am waiting for," said Salah after the quarter-final win over Ivory Coast, before insisting the Pharaohs are now the outsiders.

"We are coming up against really good teams, most of whose players are based in Europe, which makes it easier for them.

"We have very good players but most play in Egypt. We have three players playing abroad but all of them are in a difficult situation -- none of them are playing for their clubs just now," he added, with a nod to his own problems at Anfield.

Sports

AlUla Desert Polo 2026: Full Schedule and Star-Studded Teams Announced for Fifth Edition

The three-day program blends high-stakes competition with premium hospitality and entertainment - SPA
The three-day program blends high-stakes competition with premium hospitality and entertainment - SPA
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AlUla Desert Polo 2026: Full Schedule and Star-Studded Teams Announced for Fifth Edition

The three-day program blends high-stakes competition with premium hospitality and entertainment - SPA
The three-day program blends high-stakes competition with premium hospitality and entertainment - SPA

The AlUla Desert Polo, organised by the Royal Commission for AlUla, returns for its 5th edition next week, transforming the historic landscape into a premier destination for world-class equestrian sport. Taking place from January 16-17, 2026, the event features a star-studded lineup of international professionals, royal players, and team patrons.

The three-day program blends high-stakes competition with premium hospitality and entertainment, starting with the team presentation on January 15, 2026. Across two days of competition, six teams will contest a total of nine matches, showcasing high-level sport in the stunning setting of Mohammed Yousuf Naghi Equestrian Village, according to SPA.

AlUla Desert Polo is a flagship event that highlights the region's deep-rooted equestrian heritage while delivering a globally appealing, sophisticated sporting experience.

A total of six teams and 18 players will compete in the event, including professionals David “Pelón” Stirling Jr., Pablo MacDonough, Ignacio Figueras, Lia Salvo, Catalina Maria Lavinia, Felix Alejo Ortiz de Taranco Stirling. Joining the professionals on the pitch, royals, local players set to compete.
Lending their support and expertise to the event, team patrons for AlUla Desert Polo 2026 include Alejandro Antonio Poma Raskosky, Babar Naseem, Naveen Jindal, Venkatesh Jindal, Angus David St John Paradice, and Jennifer Rae Luttrell Benardoni.

Chief Sports Officer at Royal Commission for AlUla Ziad AlSuhaibani said: “AlUla Desert Polo has quickly become an iconic event that encapsulates elegance, elite sport, culture and fashion, to offer an experience unlike anything else. This event embodies AlUla’s incredible ability to offer visitors luxury, elegance, culture and heritage through immersive and unforgettable experiences, and has once again attracted some of the world’s best talent to compete in an iconic setting for three days of unforgettable sport.”

For those seeking an enhanced experience, the Polo Players Circle add-on offers all Premium Pass benefits along with guided access to the field before or after matches. Guests will have the opportunity to meet players, take photos, and receive exclusive event souvenirs.

Since debuting in 2020, AlUla Desert Polo has grown into an annual highlight of the AlUla Moments calendar – the year-round schedule of events and festivals celebrating sports, culture, arts, discovery, and heritage in AlUla.

Other upcoming sports events on the calendar include the professional cycling AlUla Tour (January 27-31, 2026), the AlUla Trail Race (January 22-23, 2026), and AlFursan Endurance AlUla (February 7-8, 2026) – one of the most prestigious events in endurance horse racing.