عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Sports

Sevilla Strike Late to Boost Survival Hopes, Celta Edge Atletico

Sevilla's players celebrate their victory following the Spanish La Liga match between Sevilla FC and Espanyol in Seville, Spain, 09 May 2026. (EPA)
Sevilla's players celebrate their victory following the Spanish La Liga match between Sevilla FC and Espanyol in Seville, Spain, 09 May 2026. (EPA)
TT
TT

Sevilla Strike Late to Boost Survival Hopes, Celta Edge Atletico

Sevilla's players celebrate their victory following the Spanish La Liga match between Sevilla FC and Espanyol in Seville, Spain, 09 May 2026. (EPA)
Sevilla's players celebrate their victory following the Spanish La Liga match between Sevilla FC and Espanyol in Seville, Spain, 09 May 2026. (EPA)

Akor Adams snatched Sevilla a late 2-1 victory over Espanyol in La Liga on Saturday to increase their chances of avoiding relegation.

Celta Vigo earned a 1-0 win at Atletico Madrid to keep their ambitions of qualifying for the Champions League alive, which were further boosted by Real Betis's 2-2 draw at Real Sociedad.

Nigeria forward Adams's 91st minute strike propelled record seven-time Europa League winners Sevilla provisionally up to 12th, three points clear of the relegation zone.

Espanyol, now without a win in 18 league matches -- all of 2026 to date -- sit 15th, two points above the drop zone, after a bad-tempered match with 10 yellow cards.

Tyrhys Dolan slammed home for Espanyol early in the second half at Sevilla's Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan stadium, before the hosts hit back.

Sevilla defender Andres Castrin scored to level in the 82nd minute with the help of some poor handling by Espanyol goalkeeper Marko Dmitrovic.

In stoppage time Adams pounced on a loose ball and produced a clinical finish to secure a crucial victory for Luis Garcia Plaza's team.

"This comeback, I think it brings us closer, closer to what we've been looking for," Castrin told Movistar.

"It was essential to win here today, to get the three points with these wonderful people (the fans).

"Thanks to them -- they have lifted us, have carried us, and you could really feel the atmosphere, how it influenced those final minutes when the goal comes at the end."

Earlier Alaves, 18th and one point from safety, drew 1-1 against Elche, 13th, who are not yet safe from the specter of relegation either.

At Atletico's Metropolitano stadium Borja Iglesias scored a fine goal for Celta, sixth, to help them keep pressure on Real Betis, fifth.

The hosts, with nothing left to play for this season after Champions League semi-final elimination by Arsenal this week, are fourth and already assured of playing in that competition again next season.

It was confirmed earlier this week that five Spanish sides will qualify for the Champions League from La Liga, guaranteeing Atletico a spot.

- 'Happy to be in the fight' -

Spain international Iglesias's neat chip helped Celta move within three points of Real Betis, who face Real Sociedad later on.

"Even in the toughest moments this team has kept on dreaming," Iglesias told DAZN.

"Obviously it's not easy to compete at this level, we're happy to be in this fight right now.

"If we keep on looking upwards, just imagine... I think we deserve it, and we'll try to get it."

Real Betis threw away a two-goal lead in a draw at Real Sociedad, leaving them four points ahead of Celta with three games to go.

Former Manchester United winger Antony missed two huge chances before eventually sending the Andalucians ahead with the hardest of his opportunities, curling home from outside the box.

Ez Abde scored a superb second for the visitors soon after half-time, surging in down the left and whipping a strike into the top corner.

Orri Oskarsson pulled one back for the Basques, eighth, and Mikel Oyarzabal levelled from the penalty spot in the 90th minute after Aitor Ruibal handled.

Ruibal was later sent off for a second yellow card for a foul as Betis left frustrated.

On Sunday, La Liga leaders Barcelona can wrap up back-to-back Spanish titles if they avoid defeat against arch-rivals Real Madrid in the Clasico at Camp Nou.

Most Viewed

 
 
Sports

AFC Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia Postponed to December 2027

The new dates will be submitted to FIFA for approval. (AFC)
The new dates will be submitted to FIFA for approval. (AFC)
TT
TT

AFC Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia Postponed to December 2027

The new dates will be submitted to FIFA for approval. (AFC)
The new dates will be submitted to FIFA for approval. (AFC)

The Asian Football Confederation has postponed the 2027 Asian Cup by almost a year because of the conflict in the Middle East.

The AFC issued a statement Tuesday saying after extensive consultations with Saudi organizers it had decided to push the tournament kickoff back from Jan. 7 to Dec. 23.

The organizing committee “approved to reschedule the flagship national team tournament in light of the current exceptional circumstances arising from developments in the region, including substantial logistical complexities and travel disruptions,” the AFC said in a statement.

“Exceptional circumstances have been created for the organization and delivery of the competition as originally scheduled, making the postponement necessary in the interest of all participating teams, officials, spectators and other stakeholders.”

The new dates — Dec. 23, 2027 to Jan. 21, 2028 — will be submitted to FIFA for approval.

Sports

Can PSG Win a Third Straight Champions League without Injured Kvaratskhelia?

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. (AFP/Getty Images)
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. (AFP/Getty Images)
TT
TT

Can PSG Win a Third Straight Champions League without Injured Kvaratskhelia?

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. (AFP/Getty Images)
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. (AFP/Getty Images)

As Paris Saint-Germain head to Spain to face Villarreal on Tuesday, the French club's quest to win a third consecutive Champions League title is under threat as injuries to key players raise doubts about the strength of their squad for another tilt at European glory.

PSG's thrilling 4-2 win two weeks ago against Barcelona was overshadowed by the sight of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia having to be helped off injured in the second half.

The Georgian was probably the best player in last season's Champions League knockout rounds, with seven goals and four assists in eight games up to and including the final against Arsenal.

But the rupture to the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee which the 25-year-old suffered in the win over Barcelona means he is unlikely to return this season.

That is a hammer blow for PSG, who have become Europe's outstanding club side since Kvaratskhelia joined from Napoli in January last year.

Luis Enrique's team began this season's league phase with three wins from three and are well set to reach the knockout stage, but PSG must now be mulling whether to sign a replacement for Kvaratskhelia in the January transfer window.

"Not especially. No injury means we need to sign a new player. None," Luis Enrique said when asked if PSG now needed to go shopping.

"I already said at the start of the season that our team could stay the same, even with two or three injuries. That said, we are always open to the possibility of new players. But not just because we have injuries."

- Barcola missed? -

PSG had already taken something of a risk by selling Bradley Barcola to Liverpool in August in a blockbuster 145 million-euro ($162m) transfer.

Goncalo Ramos, Lee Kang-in and Ibrahim Mbaye all made significant attacking contributions in the last two seasons, but were allowed to leave too.

However, Luis Enrique described the business done by the club during the summer as "exceptional", saying: "I am very happy to begin the season with the number of players that we have".

PSG signed Maghnes Akliouche, a French international winger or midfielder, from Monaco and Spain's World Cup final match-winner Ferran Torres from Barcelona, each for a reported 50 million euros.

They also recruited Belgian international winger Mika Godts from Ajax for a reported 55 million euros.

Torres scored seven goals in his first six appearances, but has gone six games without finding the net. Godts got off to a slow start but has just scored in back-to-back games.

But as the new signings settle, there are renewed doubts about Ousmane Dembele's ability to stay fit after he suffered a hamstring injury against Barcelona -- a player whose minutes were very carefully managed last season is now out for several weeks.

And it is not just in attack where PSG have injuries, with center-back and captain Marquinhos and left-back Nuno Mendes sidelined.

In that case, perhaps the answer to all their problems is right-back Achraf Hakimi, scorer of a hat-trick in Friday's 5-1 win at Le Havre in Ligue 1.

"He is more of an attacker," said Luis Enrique, who has overseen more wins than any other coach in PSG's history.

"He plays higher up the pitch and has the ability to make runs and set up goals.

"He is the best right-back in the world. What I like is that he is always at the highest level, always ready. That means a lot."

PSG made it nine straight wins in that game, despite having only two starters from last season's Champions League final in their line-up.

With competition to PSG lacking in France, being able to rest key players in Ligue 1 and still win remains something which could help them when it comes to Europe.

"We are going to need everyone if we are going to win trophies, and with the injuries there will be opportunities," insisted Luis Enrique.

The problem is there are few players anywhere who could adequately replace a talent like Kvaratskhelia.

Sports

Superstitious Antonelli to Shun F1 Champion’s Number One Next Year

Mercedes’ Italian driver Kimi Antonelli celebrates after being crowned the new Formula 1 world champion, having finished third at the Mexico City Grand Prix, held at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City, Mexico, 01 November 2026. (EPA)
Mercedes’ Italian driver Kimi Antonelli celebrates after being crowned the new Formula 1 world champion, having finished third at the Mexico City Grand Prix, held at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City, Mexico, 01 November 2026. (EPA)
TT
TT

Superstitious Antonelli to Shun F1 Champion’s Number One Next Year

Mercedes’ Italian driver Kimi Antonelli celebrates after being crowned the new Formula 1 world champion, having finished third at the Mexico City Grand Prix, held at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City, Mexico, 01 November 2026. (EPA)
Mercedes’ Italian driver Kimi Antonelli celebrates after being crowned the new Formula 1 world champion, having finished third at the Mexico City Grand Prix, held at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City, Mexico, 01 November 2026. (EPA)

Kimi Antonelli will ‌not have the number one on his car next year out of superstition and humility, the 20-year-old Italian explained after becoming Formula One's youngest champion on Sunday.

The Mercedes driver took the title in Mexico City with racing number 12 on his car and he will keep that when he starts his reign.

"I'll stay with number 12 because, obviously, it's a very special number for me, but also it's a way for me to stay grounded, to stay humble," said the first Italian champion in 73 years.

"I feel like by keeping number 12 it allows me ‌to have a ‌new point where to start and build on ‌everything ⁠again and try ⁠to improve. And also, to be honest, I'm very superstitious, and number one has never been a good number for me.

"Whenever I put it (on), it went extremely badly. So one more reason to stay with number 12."

Antonelli is the first F1 driver to win a championship with the number 12 since the late Brazilian triple champion Ayrton Senna did so ⁠with his first for McLaren in 1988.

Senna, who ‌died racing for Williams at Italy's Imola ‌circuit in 1994, is also an idol for Antonelli, who comes from nearby ‌Bologna and Antonelli said he would be wearing a special tribute ‌helmet at next weekend's Brazilian Grand Prix in Sao Paulo.

Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff said Antonelli's humility made him a new kind of driver, one that other youngsters should emulate.

"This notion of win at all costs -- selfish, opportunistic, ruthlessness ‌for your own benefit -- that model of racing driver has died," said the Austrian.

"We have a new ⁠champion that represents ⁠values like humility, like integrity, loyalty, respect, believing in himself.

"He should be a role model for many other young drivers in junior formulas. He should be a role model for the few entitled ones in Formula One, the endless moaners on the radio, the ones that complain, the ones that crash.

"Look at this kid of 20 years and then think what you can do in order to improve."

Wolff said that was how he, the governing FIA and Formula One wanted to see racing drivers in future.

"He (Antonelli) represents the modern Formula One driver because of those values, not only because of his talent," he added. "He has demonstrated that you can beat everyone out there by being a good person."