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Messi's Inter Miami Advances to MLS Cup Final with 5-1 Win over NYCFC in East Final

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 29: Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF and teammates lift the Champion's trophy after winning the the Audi 2025 MLS Cup western conference final match between Inter Miami CF and New York City FC at Chase Stadium on November 29, 2025 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Carmen Mandato/Getty Images/AFP
FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 29: Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF and teammates lift the Champion's trophy after winning the the Audi 2025 MLS Cup western conference final match between Inter Miami CF and New York City FC at Chase Stadium on November 29, 2025 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Carmen Mandato/Getty Images/AFP
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Messi's Inter Miami Advances to MLS Cup Final with 5-1 Win over NYCFC in East Final

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 29: Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF and teammates lift the Champion's trophy after winning the the Audi 2025 MLS Cup western conference final match between Inter Miami CF and New York City FC at Chase Stadium on November 29, 2025 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Carmen Mandato/Getty Images/AFP
FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 29: Lionel Messi #10 of Inter Miami CF and teammates lift the Champion's trophy after winning the the Audi 2025 MLS Cup western conference final match between Inter Miami CF and New York City FC at Chase Stadium on November 29, 2025 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Carmen Mandato/Getty Images/AFP

Lionel Messi will play for another trophy. Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets clearly aren't ready to begin their retirements, either.

Tadeo Allende scored three goals — Alba and Busquets, a pair of longtime Messi teammates who will retire when this season ends, had the assists on his first two — and Inter Miami topped New York City FC 5-1 on Saturday night for the Eastern Conference title and a berth in the MLS Cup final.

Mateo Silvetti scored in the 67th minute for Inter Miami, with Messi setting up that goal — the 405th assist of his career for club and country, which is generally believed to be the most in soccer history, The Associated Press reported.

Telasco Segovia scored off a heel pass from Alba in the 83rd minute to turn it into a runaway, and Allende finishing off the hat trick in the 89th minute was the final play.

“We have reached the final with a brotherhood of moving forward," Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano said. “The power of one group can overcome many things.”

Tennis star Carlos Alcaraz brought the East trophy onto the field to present to Inter Miami's ownership, before it was handed to Messi. Fireworks, confetti and a ton of happy photos and hugs followed, but it was also clear this wasn't the trophy Inter Miami wants most.

“We have made a fantastic playoff run and are very deserving of reaching the final," Silvetti said in Spanish.

Inter Miami — the No. 3 seed in the East — will play host to Vancouver for the league title on Dec. 6 at 2:30 p.m. Eastern. Vancouver topped San Diego 3-1 later Saturday night for the Western Conference title.

It'll be the first MLS final appearance for Inter Miami, which had never made it past the opening postseason round in any of its first five seasons. Messi's club went 0-2 against Vancouver this season, losing both legs of a semifinal meeting in the CONCACAF Champions Cup by a 5-1 aggregate.

Justin Haak scored in the 37th minute for NYCFC, which went 0-2-1 against Inter Miami this season.

The win moves Inter Miami one step closer to another trophy, after winning the Leagues Cup in 2023 and the Supporters' Shield as MLS' top regular-season team last year. Messi, a World Cup champion for Argentina and now eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, joined the team midway through the 2023 season when it was at the bottom of the MLS standings and in an 11-match winless streak.

Now? The club's brand is global, Messi's No. 10 jersey in the club's pink kit is sold all over the world, a new stadium near Miami International Airport is on the way for next season, Messi is signed through 2028, he seems like a lock to win his second consecutive MLS MVP award and the team is on the brink of an MLS title.

Stars flock to see this team because of Messi; Alcaraz was there Saturday night, as were some members of the US women's national team.

“Everyone in the world knows who Lionel Messi is. ... I think everyone thought he would come in here and do exactly what he's done,” said US women's forward Lindsay Horan — whose Messi fandom goes back many years.

Messi got struck along the left side of his head in the ninth minute and was briefly shaken up, remaining down near the center circle for a few seconds before eventually getting to his feet. He got tripped with Inter Miami on the attack about two minutes later, then took a direct kick from about 30 yards out — playing it into the box, but Silvetti’s header was easily caught by NYCFC goalie Matt Freese.

Inter Miami's next chance came a minute later. This one was cashed in — a long pass from Busquets was controlled by Allende, who easily beat Freese from about 12 yards out for a 1-0 lead.

Allende struck again on a header off a long pass from Alba in the 23rd minute, making it 2-0. And after Messi set Silvetti up for the 3-1 lead, what essentially was a 25-minute or so countdown to a celebration was underway.

“This is a very satisfying result but the work continues," Allende said in Spanish. "There is still work to do but happy with what we have accomplished.”

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Naomi Osaka Could Quit Tennis if Daughter Asks Her To

Naomi Osaka is playing at the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo. Yuichi YAMAZAKI / AFP
Naomi Osaka is playing at the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo. Yuichi YAMAZAKI / AFP
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Naomi Osaka Could Quit Tennis if Daughter Asks Her To

Naomi Osaka is playing at the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo. Yuichi YAMAZAKI / AFP
Naomi Osaka is playing at the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo. Yuichi YAMAZAKI / AFP

Former world number one Naomi Osaka cast doubt on her future Sunday saying she would consider quitting tennis if her three-year-old daughter asked her to.

The four-time Grand Slam champion from Japan took 15 months away from the sport after the birth of her daughter Shai, before returning in 2023, AFP said.

She is in Tokyo to play at the Pan Pacific Open this week and said becoming a mother had reshaped her priorities.

"I wouldn't say I'm part-timing it but my entire day doesn't consist of that," said the 29-year-old, now ranked 19 in the world.

"It's tough, sometimes I look towards my future and I often wonder how long I'm going to play.

"Because if my daughter did say she didn't want me to travel as much, I'm not the type of person to ignore that."

Osaka also stepped away from tennis in 2021 to prioritize her mental health.

She said her "mindset is changing a lot" with age.

"My daughter is my biggest priority," she said.

"I try my best to put as much energy as I can into tennis.

"If I think about it in certain ways, I'm really proud of where I am now because it's not like I can dedicate my entire time to the sport."

- Online abuse -

Osaka said juggling her duties as a player and a mother was something she was "figuring out little by little".

She also offered support to the American Coco Gauff, who said she had received an "insane" amount of racist abuse on the internet at this month's China Open.

World number five Gauff, who is Black, said the experience had been "kind of draining".

Osaka, whose mother is Japanese and father from Haiti, said "nobody should have to go through that".

"It's sad but I'm used to it on my end," she said.

"I feel like for me, I've dealt with that my entire career through decisions that I make that seem to make some people upset. It's tough."

Osaka said efforts made by women's tennis governing body the WTA to combat social media abuse did not "ever seem to fully work all the way".

"I know that some people are like, OK, if it bothers you that much, stay off social media," said Osaka.

"But sometimes that's the best way to connect with your fans.

"From my end, what I do about it is I don't really go on social media at all."

Osaka is seeded seven in Tokyo and plays Italy's Jasmine Paolini in the first round.

World number one Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan and Philippines sensation Alexandra Eala are also competing.

Osaka said she was "not far off" refinding her best form and was "optimistic for next year".

Sports

De Zerbi Hails ‘Complete’ Spurs After Historic Win at Chelsea

Premier League - Chelsea v Tottenham Hotspur - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - October 24, 2026 Tottenham Hotspur's Conor Gallagher celebrates after the match with James Maddison. (Reuters)
Premier League - Chelsea v Tottenham Hotspur - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - October 24, 2026 Tottenham Hotspur's Conor Gallagher celebrates after the match with James Maddison. (Reuters)
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De Zerbi Hails ‘Complete’ Spurs After Historic Win at Chelsea

Premier League - Chelsea v Tottenham Hotspur - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - October 24, 2026 Tottenham Hotspur's Conor Gallagher celebrates after the match with James Maddison. (Reuters)
Premier League - Chelsea v Tottenham Hotspur - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - October 24, 2026 Tottenham Hotspur's Conor Gallagher celebrates after the match with James Maddison. (Reuters)

Roberto De Zerbi said Tottenham's historic 2-0 victory against London rivals Chelsea proved his side have a winning mentality as they banished their dismal start to the season.

Tottenham won at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League for just the second time in 36 years and the first since 2018.

Trips across the capital to west London have largely been fruitless experiences for Tottenham over the last four decades.

But De Zerbi's men enjoyed a memorable visit to the Bridge on Saturday thanks to a comical own goal from Chelsea goalkeeper Mike Penders and a late wonder-goal from Mathys Tel after Blues star Cole Palmer was sent off.

"It was a big moment for the fans, the club and the players also. They deserved this win, they prepared very well," De Zerbi said.

"We are improving a lot, we are improving in the mentality, in the group and the relationships with the players and then we are improving on the pitch."

Tottenham started the season on a dismal run of six league games without a win, raising the specter of another relegation battle after they narrowly avoided dropping into the Championship on the final day of last season.

With the pressure mounting on De Zerbi, the Italian has drawn his players closer together thanks to meals together and a trip to Marbella.

- 'The spirit, the belief' -

A win against promoted Coventry on Monday lifted the tension around the north London club and vanquishing Chelsea was another reward for De Zerbi's team-building ethos.

"Now it is a complete team. When we stay for dinner and stay together in the dressing room, I see a different group, a different relationship and different atmosphere among the players," he said.

"The character was today great, but we have many, many new players. The players who stayed here last season, two or three seasons ago, they suffered the last results, two times 17th position, we are working to change the last part of the history of the club."

Tottenham were beginning to lose the faith of their long-suffering fans after another miserable start to the season.

But De Zerbi was adamant he never doubted they would get back on track.

"I have to believe for sure in this group. I never lost the confidence in my players," he said.

"The week in Marbella, to speak better face to face, to open ourselves and remove the mask it is important.

"It is important for the spirit, the belief. The atmosphere inside the dressing room is maybe more important than the tactics."

For Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso, it was a painful setback as the optimism engendered by successive victories over Bournemouth and Everton was washed away on a rain-lashed evening.

Alonso's expensively assembled team sit in fourth place but remain very much a work in progress after the third league loss of his first season in charge.

"We are all disappointed with the result, with the performance collectively and individually we were not at our best level," he said.

"It was about the first goal and it went their way and with 10 men it was difficult but we can do better."

Alonso refused to blame Penders and Palmer for their roles in the defeat.

"We feel for everyone, it is a team thing, a collective. We have to move on," he said before adding he "hadn't seen" Palmer's two bookings.

Sports

Verstappen’s Advice to Antonelli: Enjoy the Ride and Celebrate

Pole winner Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli, center, of Italy, poses with second place qualifier Red Bull driver Max Verstappen, left, of the Netherlands, and third place qualifier Red Bull driver Yuki Isack Hadjar, of France, following qualifying for the Formula One United States Grand Prix auto race in Austin, Texas, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026. (AP)
Pole winner Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli, center, of Italy, poses with second place qualifier Red Bull driver Max Verstappen, left, of the Netherlands, and third place qualifier Red Bull driver Yuki Isack Hadjar, of France, following qualifying for the Formula One United States Grand Prix auto race in Austin, Texas, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026. (AP)
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Verstappen’s Advice to Antonelli: Enjoy the Ride and Celebrate

Pole winner Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli, center, of Italy, poses with second place qualifier Red Bull driver Max Verstappen, left, of the Netherlands, and third place qualifier Red Bull driver Yuki Isack Hadjar, of France, following qualifying for the Formula One United States Grand Prix auto race in Austin, Texas, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026. (AP)
Pole winner Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli, center, of Italy, poses with second place qualifier Red Bull driver Max Verstappen, left, of the Netherlands, and third place qualifier Red Bull driver Yuki Isack Hadjar, of France, following qualifying for the Formula One United States Grand Prix auto race in Austin, Texas, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026. (AP)

Max Verstappen advised Kimi Antonelli to enjoy the ride and get ready to celebrate as the Italian stands on the brink of becoming Formula One's youngest ever champion.

The 20-year-old Mercedes driver qualified on pole position for Sunday's US Grand Prix and could clinch the title with five rounds to spare at Austin's Circuit of the Americas if he wins and other results go his way.

Red Bull's Verstappen, a four-time champion, will be alongside on the ‌front row ‌and fighting for his third successive victory after Malaysia and ‌Singapore.

The ⁠Dutch driver will ⁠not be making it easy for Antonelli, but he also recognized that the main battle was over.

"He knows what he's doing, so he just needs to try and win the race. If it (the title) doesn't happen here, it will happen next weekend. If it doesn't happen next weekend, it will happen the weekend after," he said, sitting alongside Antonelli in a post-qualifying press conference.

"I think it's just been an ⁠incredible season, so you have to also just try and ‌enjoy this kind of ride of the last ‌few months that you've been in.

"At one point, of course, it's official, and then ‌you can celebrate probably a little bit."

Verstappen said Antonelli, who is 102 points ‌clear of teammate and closest rival George Russell, deserved all the success he was having.

"He's very consistent, he's putting the performances in when it matters, and once it's finally official that he is world champion, he's definitely a deserving winner," he said.

Antonelli said the weekend ‌did feel different, with his first "match point" in the championship, but the goal remained the same.

"We still have to ⁠do the race ⁠tomorrow, still have to try and win, and then, of course, we'll see what happens. But yeah, I feel like I can enjoy it a bit more because obviously I'm in a very good position," he said.

The Italian added that his biggest immediate achievement, on a gusty day with a tailwind blowing, had been to keep his car within the track limits.

The Italian has regularly fallen foul of stewards and irritated team boss Toto Wolff with his breaches of the limits this season.

"One of the keys was not doing any track limits. That was very good for me because I've had a couple of races where I've done track limits in crucial moments, and that kind of put myself in a bad position and under more pressure. So that hasn't been ideal," he told Sky Sports television.