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Conference League Final Offers Redemption for Chelsea or Recognition for Betis 

Betis players (L-R) Isco Alarcon, Cedric Bakambu and Marc Bartra greet their supporters after the Spanish LaLiga soccer match between Real Betis and Valencia CF, in Seville, Spain, May 23, 2025. (EPA)
Betis players (L-R) Isco Alarcon, Cedric Bakambu and Marc Bartra greet their supporters after the Spanish LaLiga soccer match between Real Betis and Valencia CF, in Seville, Spain, May 23, 2025. (EPA)
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Conference League Final Offers Redemption for Chelsea or Recognition for Betis 

Betis players (L-R) Isco Alarcon, Cedric Bakambu and Marc Bartra greet their supporters after the Spanish LaLiga soccer match between Real Betis and Valencia CF, in Seville, Spain, May 23, 2025. (EPA)
Betis players (L-R) Isco Alarcon, Cedric Bakambu and Marc Bartra greet their supporters after the Spanish LaLiga soccer match between Real Betis and Valencia CF, in Seville, Spain, May 23, 2025. (EPA)

Chelsea and Real Betis have come from starkly different starting points to get to Wednesday's UEFA Europa Conference League final.

Chelsea, twice Champions League winners and six times English top-flight champions, are seeking redemption in Europe's third-tier competition following a sub-par domestic campaign.

Betis, on the other hand, are eagerly anticipating their first major European final after undergoing a transformation under the astute leadership of former Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini.

Energized by Brazilian winger Antony and midfield maestro Isco, Betis are going through one of the best spells in their history and have finally managed to emerge from the shadow of city rivals Sevilla, record six-time Europa League winners, to become the team of the moment in Andalusia.

For a traditional club whose passionate fans have celebrated a Spanish league title only once -- 90 years ago -- and who have taken part in the Champions League only once -- three decades ago -- reaching the Conference League final is a dream scenario.

In contrast, playing the Conference League final could feel a bit underwhelming for big-spending Chelsea, who won the Champions League four years ago.

The Blues left it late to hit their target for this season by qualifying for the 2025-26 Champions League, thanks to a final-day victory at Nottingham Forest on Sunday.

With more than one billion pounds invested in players by the club's US owners since 2022, coach Enzo Maresca came under immediate pressure in his first season at Stamford Bridge.

A strong start saw Chelsea climb to second in the Premier League in December before a poor run -- coinciding with injuries to striker Nicolas Jackson and midfielder Romeo Lavia -- put a top-five finish in doubt until they managed to get back on track and finish fourth.

The return of Belgium midfielder Lavia helped and midfielder Moises Caicedo had a great season too, while defender Marc Cucurella has popped up at the right time on a few occasions in a season that started with him helping Spain to win the European Championship in Germany last July.

At Betis, Pellegrini has revived the careers of veteran Isco and Antony, who have become the heart and soul of this surprising, highly entertaining team.

Isco, 33 and a former Champions League winner with Real Madrid, has rekindled his form, earning LaLiga's Player of the Month award in March and prompting calls for him to be recalled to the Spanish national team.

The 25-year-old Antony, on loan from Manchester United, has also flourished, becoming the potent attacking threat Betis needed and the difference-maker the Red Devils thought they had signed for nearly 81 million pounds ($109.40 million) from Ajax in 2022.

The stage in Wroclaw, Poland, is set for a compelling final. Antony, with his blistering runs down the right channel, is expected to challenge Chelsea's defense, while the Blues will be looking for a performance that justifies their investments and secures some much-needed silverware for the under-fire Maresca.

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Salah Steers Egypt into Africa Cup Knockout Stages After VAR Denies South Africa Late Penalty

Egypt's forward #10 Mohamed Salah shoots from the penalty spot to score the team's first goal during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) Group B football match between Egypt and South Africa at Adrar Stadium in Agadir on December 26, 2025. (AFP)
Egypt's forward #10 Mohamed Salah shoots from the penalty spot to score the team's first goal during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) Group B football match between Egypt and South Africa at Adrar Stadium in Agadir on December 26, 2025. (AFP)
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Salah Steers Egypt into Africa Cup Knockout Stages After VAR Denies South Africa Late Penalty

Egypt's forward #10 Mohamed Salah shoots from the penalty spot to score the team's first goal during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) Group B football match between Egypt and South Africa at Adrar Stadium in Agadir on December 26, 2025. (AFP)
Egypt's forward #10 Mohamed Salah shoots from the penalty spot to score the team's first goal during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) Group B football match between Egypt and South Africa at Adrar Stadium in Agadir on December 26, 2025. (AFP)

Mohamed Salah scored again on Friday as Egypt's 10 men held on to beat South Africa 1-0 to reach the knockout stages of the Africa Cup of Nations.

Salah, who secured the Pharaohs’ opening win with a stoppage-time strike against Zimbabwe on Monday, did it again in Agadir and his penalty before the break secured progression from Group B.

But South Africa should arguably have been given a penalty in stoppage time when Yasser Ibrahim blocked a shot with his arm. After a long delay, the referee decided against awarding the spot kick after consulting video replays and Ibrahim sank to the ground in relief.

“We didn’t have much luck. We also had several refereeing decisions go against us,” South Africa coach Hugo Broos said.

Salah converted his penalty after he was struck in the face by the hand of the retreating South Africa forward Lyle Foster. Salah showed no ill effects from the blow and sent his shot straight down the middle while goalkeeper Ronwen Williams dived to his right.

There was still time before the break for Egypt defender Mohamed Hany to get sent off, after receiving a second yellow card for a foul on Teboho Mokoena.

Goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy was Egypt’s key player in the second half.

“We gave our all in this match right until the end, and we also hope for the best for what comes next,” the 37-year-old El Shenawy said.

Earlier, Angola and Zimbabwe drew 1-1 in the other group game, a result that suited neither side after opening losses.

Egypt leads with 6 points from two games followed by South Africa on 3. Angola and Zimbabwe have a point each. The top two progress from each group, along with the best third-place finishers.

Zambia drew 1-1 with Comoros in the early Group A fixture after both lost their opening games, meaning the winner of the late match could be sure of progressing.

Sports

Draper to Miss Australian Open Due to Injury

Jack Draper, of Great Britain, reacts after defeating Federico Agustin Gomez, of Argentina, during the first round of the US Open tennis championships, Aug. 25, 2025, in New York. (AP)
Jack Draper, of Great Britain, reacts after defeating Federico Agustin Gomez, of Argentina, during the first round of the US Open tennis championships, Aug. 25, 2025, in New York. (AP)
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Draper to Miss Australian Open Due to Injury

Jack Draper, of Great Britain, reacts after defeating Federico Agustin Gomez, of Argentina, during the first round of the US Open tennis championships, Aug. 25, 2025, in New York. (AP)
Jack Draper, of Great Britain, reacts after defeating Federico Agustin Gomez, of Argentina, during the first round of the US Open tennis championships, Aug. 25, 2025, in New York. (AP)

Briton Jack Draper said on Friday he will not compete in next month's Australian Open, citing ongoing recovery from an injury.

Draper, 10th in the world rankings, was forced to withdraw from the second round of ‌the US Open ‌in August ‌due ⁠to bone ‌bruising in his left arm.

"Unfortunately, me and my team have decided not to head out to Australia this year. It's a really, ⁠really tough decision," the British ‌number one said in ‍a video ‍posted on X.

The 24-year-old ‍is targeting a February return alongside preparation for the defense of his Indian Wells title in March.

"This injury has been the most difficult ⁠and complex of my career," Draper added. "It's weird, it always seems to make me more resilient. I'm looking forward to getting back out there in 2026 and competing."

The Australian Open begins on January 18 in ‌Melbourne.

Sports

Morocco Forced to Wait for AFCON Knockout Place After Mali Draw

Football - CAF Africa Cup of Nations - Morocco 2025 - Group A - Morocco v Mali - Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat, Morocco - December 26, 2025 Morocco's Ismael Saibari reacts after Mali's Lassine Sinayoko scored their first goal. (Reuters)
Football - CAF Africa Cup of Nations - Morocco 2025 - Group A - Morocco v Mali - Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat, Morocco - December 26, 2025 Morocco's Ismael Saibari reacts after Mali's Lassine Sinayoko scored their first goal. (Reuters)
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Morocco Forced to Wait for AFCON Knockout Place After Mali Draw

Football - CAF Africa Cup of Nations - Morocco 2025 - Group A - Morocco v Mali - Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat, Morocco - December 26, 2025 Morocco's Ismael Saibari reacts after Mali's Lassine Sinayoko scored their first goal. (Reuters)
Football - CAF Africa Cup of Nations - Morocco 2025 - Group A - Morocco v Mali - Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat, Morocco - December 26, 2025 Morocco's Ismael Saibari reacts after Mali's Lassine Sinayoko scored their first goal. (Reuters)

Morocco missed the chance to guarantee their spot in the last 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations after Lassine Sinayoko's second-half penalty earned Mali a 1-1 draw with the hosts on Friday.

The match was a tale of two spot-kicks, with Brahim Diaz giving Morocco the lead from a penalty deep in first-half injury time and Sinayoko replying on 64 minutes.

The stalemate at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in the capital Rabat ended Morocco's world record winning run which had been taken to 19 matches with their 2-0 victory over Comoros in the tournament's opening game.

It also means Morocco have not yet confirmed their place in the knockout phase, although they are on top of Group A with four points from two games.

Mali come next on two points alongside Zambia, who drew 0-0 with minnows Comoros earlier in Casablanca.

Morocco next face Zambia on Monday and a victory in that match against the 2012 champions will ensure that the hosts go through as group winners.

"We'll look back at the second half and see what the problem was but we didn't play the way we did in the first half. We didn't impose our game and had to drop off. The penalty changed the game a bit," Morocco midfielder Azzedine Ounahi told broadcaster beIN Sports.

"We go into the third game with the same approach, to win the game and finish top of the group."

Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi, the African player of the year, was again an unused substitute as he continues his recovery from an ankle injury suffered playing for Paris Saint-Germain at the start of November.

- Mbappe watches on -

His former PSG teammate Kylian Mbappe, the current Real Madrid superstar and France skipper, was among the spectators in the crowd of 63,844 and appeared to be wearing a Morocco shirt with Hakimi's number two on it.

With Hakimi on the sidelines, Mbappe's Real Madrid teammate Diaz was the main attraction on the pitch -- the little number 10 forced a good save from Mali goalkeeper Djigui Diarra on 17 minutes and then played a key part in the penalty which led to the opening goal just before the interval.

Mali defender Nathan Gassama brushed the ball with his hand as he tried to stop Diaz dribbling past him inside the box, and the referee eventually awarded a spot-kick following a lengthy look at the pitchside VAR monitor.

Morocco's Soufiane Rahimi had a spot-kick saved against Comoros but this time Diaz sent the goalkeeper the wrong way for his second goal of the tournament.

However, Walid Regragui's side, the best team in Africa according to the FIFA rankings, could not build on that as Mali won a penalty of their own just after the hour mark.

Sinayoko went down under a clumsy challenge by Jawad El Yamiq and 29-year-old Cameroonian referee Abdoul Abdel Mefire awarded the penalty after eventually being called over to check his screen.

Auxerre striker Sinayoko, having been booked apparently for something he said to the referee, kept his cool to stroke in the reward and restore parity.

Morocco substitute Youssef En-Nesyri was denied by a good Diarra save and Mali then held on through 10 minutes of stoppage time for a point, as the final whistle was greeted with jeers from the home fans.