Juventus Deny Dortmund with Last-Gasp Fightback in Eight-Goal Epic 

Juventus' English defender #06 Lloyd Kelly celebrates scoring his team's fourth goal during the UEFA Champions League first round day 1 football match between Juventus and Borussia Dortmund at the Allianz stadium in Turin, northern Italy, on September 16, 2025. (AFP)
Juventus' English defender #06 Lloyd Kelly celebrates scoring his team's fourth goal during the UEFA Champions League first round day 1 football match between Juventus and Borussia Dortmund at the Allianz stadium in Turin, northern Italy, on September 16, 2025. (AFP)
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Juventus Deny Dortmund with Last-Gasp Fightback in Eight-Goal Epic 

Juventus' English defender #06 Lloyd Kelly celebrates scoring his team's fourth goal during the UEFA Champions League first round day 1 football match between Juventus and Borussia Dortmund at the Allianz stadium in Turin, northern Italy, on September 16, 2025. (AFP)
Juventus' English defender #06 Lloyd Kelly celebrates scoring his team's fourth goal during the UEFA Champions League first round day 1 football match between Juventus and Borussia Dortmund at the Allianz stadium in Turin, northern Italy, on September 16, 2025. (AFP)

Dusan Vlahovic and Lloyd Kelly scored in stoppage time to inspire a dramatic Juventus escape as they secured a 4-4 draw at home to Borussia Dortmund in their Champions League opener on Tuesday, with all eight goals coming after the break.

The hosts trailed 4-2 when substitute Vlahovic grabbed his second of the night in the fourth minute of stoppage time, before he set up Kelly two minutes later to secure a point.

Man-of-the-match Vlahovic, who came on just before the hour mark, was disappointed not to have completed his hat-trick.

"To prove yourself you always need hunger. I’m never satisfied and tonight I wanted a third goal," he told Sky Sport.

"The important thing is we didn’t lose, so we keep moving forward."

The first half gave little indication of the drama to follow, with Juventus going closest when Khephren Thuram’s deflected strike forced a sharp save from Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel.

A TALE OF TWO HALVES

Dortmund found the breakthrough eight minutes after the restart as Karim Adeyemi rifled a precise shot into the far corner from just outside the box.

They nearly doubled their lead when Serhou Guirassy was denied by a reflex stop from Juventus keeper Michele Di Gregorio.

The hosts drew level in the 63rd minute through Kenan Yildiz, who collected the ball on the edge of the area, steadied himself and bent a superb shot into the far corner to ignite the Juventus fans.

The celebrations were short-lived, however, as Felix Nmecha restored Dortmund’s advantage barely two minutes later with a crisp first-time finish from distance.

The game’s tempo showed no sign of slowing, and by the 68th minute Juventus were level once more, Vlahovic racing onto a perfectly weighted pass to slot past Kobel.

The frenzy continued in the 74th minute, when Yan Couto’s low strike squirmed between Di Gregorio and the post to put Dortmund back in front.

The visitors were awarded a penalty four minutes from time after Kelly was penalized for a handball, with Ramy Bensebaini converting from the spot.

Juve launched a last-ditch offensive and deep into stoppage time, Vlahovic struck again from a well-placed cross before turning provider for Kelly, who headed in the equalizer.

A lengthy VAR review for a possible offside held up the celebrations, before the Allianz Stadium erupted once more as the equalizing goal was confirmed.

Juventus scored four goals for a second straight match after their 4-3 league win over Inter Milan on Saturday, but coach Igor Tudor stressed the need for his side to tighten up defensively.

"I've already had enough of this type of match," he told Sky Sport Italia.

"We are conceding too many, at least we're scoring a lot too, but we cannot carry on like this. It was so difficult in the second half to keep the energy levels up three days after an incredibly tough match."



Asian Cup Draw Postponed

The draw for January's Asian Cup finals has been postponed (AFC)
The draw for January's Asian Cup finals has been postponed (AFC)
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Asian Cup Draw Postponed

The draw for January's Asian Cup finals has been postponed (AFC)
The draw for January's Asian Cup finals has been postponed (AFC)

The draw for January's Asian Cup finals, which was due to be held in Riyadh on April 11, has been postponed, the Asian Football Confederation announced on Thursday.

Officials have rescheduled the event to a later date "to ensure the undisrupted attendance of all stakeholders at the final draw ceremony," the governing ⁠body said in ⁠a statement.

"The AFC expressed its appreciation to the Local Organizing Committee for the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ for their full readiness to host the draw as planned, and it appreciates the understanding and continued cooperation of its Participating Member Associations, fans and stakeholders," the statement added.

Saudi Arabia is due to host the 24-team quadrennial continental championship for the first time with the last remaining round of qualifiers taking place on Tuesday.

Qatar are the defending champions and have already secured their ⁠berth ⁠at the finals alongside four-times winners Japan, plus fellow World Cup qualifiers South Korea, Iran, Jordan, Australia and Uzbekistan.

The AFC announced on Tuesday that the latter stages of the Asian Champions League Elite would go ahead as planned in Jeddah, with matches running from April 13 to 26.


Maguire: Amorim Had Great Ideas but they Did Not Click at Man United

Manchester United's English defender #05 Harry Maguire is sent off the pitch after receiving a red card during the English Premier League football match between Bournemouth and Manchester United at the Vitality Stadium in Bournemouth, southern England on March 20, 2026. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP)
Manchester United's English defender #05 Harry Maguire is sent off the pitch after receiving a red card during the English Premier League football match between Bournemouth and Manchester United at the Vitality Stadium in Bournemouth, southern England on March 20, 2026. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP)
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Maguire: Amorim Had Great Ideas but they Did Not Click at Man United

Manchester United's English defender #05 Harry Maguire is sent off the pitch after receiving a red card during the English Premier League football match between Bournemouth and Manchester United at the Vitality Stadium in Bournemouth, southern England on March 20, 2026. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP)
Manchester United's English defender #05 Harry Maguire is sent off the pitch after receiving a red card during the English Premier League football match between Bournemouth and Manchester United at the Vitality Stadium in Bournemouth, southern England on March 20, 2026. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP)

Manchester United defender Harry Maguire said former manager Ruben Amorim had strong ideas, but they ultimately “didn’t work” at Old Trafford, further praising interim manager Michael Carrick for overseeing a smooth transition.

United have revived their season since Carrick took charge in January, rising into the Premier League’s top three after earning 23 points in 10 games, with only one defeat. "I really like Ruben, he’s ⁠got great ideas. ⁠The ideas just didn’t work at Manchester United," Maguire said of Amorim in an interview with Britain's The Guardian.

"It just didn’t click or work and us, as players, have got to ⁠take a lot of responsibility for that as well."

Amorim was known for his back-three system, but Maguire said he feels more comfortable in a back four.

“In the middle of a back three, it is more cautious, a sweeper-type role and not as much driving forward with the ball, which has been a big part of ⁠my ⁠game throughout my career," he said, according to Reuters.

"I feel like it has been a great transition. Credit to Michael and his staff for making it so smooth.” Maguire was named last week in Thomas Tuchel's 35-man England squad as they host Uruguay at Wembley Stadium on March 27, followed by a clash with Japan at the same venue four days later.


Hamilton Says More Committed to F1 than Ever at 41

Ferrari's British driver Lewis Hamilton in Suzuka. Toshifumi KITAMURA / AFP
Ferrari's British driver Lewis Hamilton in Suzuka. Toshifumi KITAMURA / AFP
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Hamilton Says More Committed to F1 than Ever at 41

Ferrari's British driver Lewis Hamilton in Suzuka. Toshifumi KITAMURA / AFP
Ferrari's British driver Lewis Hamilton in Suzuka. Toshifumi KITAMURA / AFP

A rejuvenated Lewis Hamilton said Thursday that he was more committed to Formula One "than ever" aged 41 and believes he trains harder than any other driver.

The seven-time world champion has made a strong start to the season with Ferrari and is fourth in the championship after two races, 18 points behind leader George Russell of Mercedes, said AFP.

Hamilton finished third in China to claim a podium place for the first time since joining Ferrari ahead of the 2025 season, and he said he had been putting in the hard yards ahead of this week's Japanese Grand Prix.

"I was in Tokyo between this race and the last race, I've run like 100 kilometers," the Briton said.

"I know that none of the drivers I'm racing against have trained as hard as I am and giving it what I am, especially at my age.

"I love that, that I still have that drive to push myself," he added.

Hamilton boasted that he was returning to his hotel after a morning run just as other drivers were getting up.

"The commitment is there, more than ever," he said.

"I dedicate absolutely everything I have to this challenge."

Hamilton endured a nightmare first season with Ferrari last year, finishing sixth in the championship and suffering the indignity of becoming the first driver to be eliminated from Q1 at three consecutive grands prix.

His fortunes have changed markedly with new regulations and car designs this season, which have produced noticeably more overtaking in races than in recent years.

Hamilton got the better of team-mate Charles Leclerc after a titanic tussle in Shanghai and he said he found battling drivers "much more fun".

"That's how racing should be," he said.

"It should be back and forth, it shouldn't be one move is done and then that's it."