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Atletico Down Carrick’s Struggling Man United

13 October 2026, Spain, Madrid: Atletico Madrid's Pablo Barrios celebrates scoring his side's first goal during the UEFA Champions League soccer match between Atletico Madrid and Manchester United at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano Stadium. (dpa)
13 October 2026, Spain, Madrid: Atletico Madrid's Pablo Barrios celebrates scoring his side's first goal during the UEFA Champions League soccer match between Atletico Madrid and Manchester United at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano Stadium. (dpa)
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Atletico Down Carrick’s Struggling Man United

13 October 2026, Spain, Madrid: Atletico Madrid's Pablo Barrios celebrates scoring his side's first goal during the UEFA Champions League soccer match between Atletico Madrid and Manchester United at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano Stadium. (dpa)
13 October 2026, Spain, Madrid: Atletico Madrid's Pablo Barrios celebrates scoring his side's first goal during the UEFA Champions League soccer match between Atletico Madrid and Manchester United at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano Stadium. (dpa)

Atletico Madrid eased to a 2-0 win over Manchester United in the Champions League on Tuesday to pile pressure on Red Devils coach Michael Carrick.

Pablo Barrios pounced inside the first minute for Diego Simeone's side and after Leny Yoro's 74th minute red card set United back further, Ademola Lookman added another for the hosts in Madrid.

Man United have made their worst domestic start in 40 years and this league phase defeat in the Spanish capital was another blow, with the team now winless in five games across all competitions.

Carrick handed Carlos Baleba his first start for the club since arriving from Brighton this summer, as well as pushing captain Bruno Fernandes out to the right side.

Atletico were without their skipper Koke, after the death of his mother, while coach Simeone selected Julian Alvarez from the off for the first time this season at the Metropolitano stadium, after he tried to force a departure this summer.

"Defend what we love," Atletico fans ordered their supporters with a banner display before kick-off and the Rojiblancos were ahead after just 50 seconds.

Alex Baena found a way in behind United's defense and cut the ball across for Barrios, with Ayden Heaven unable to keep the midfielder's shot from crossing the line.

Bryan Mbuemo might have equalized for the visitors, nudging the ball through Cristian Romero's legs but firing just wide.

Alejandro Grimaldo came inches away from extending Atletico's lead with a free-kick which hit the angle between post and crossbar.

The hosts thought they had a second when Johnny Cardoso finished neatly from the edge of the box before half-time but the goal was disallowed after a VAR review showed the ball had struck Marcos Llorente's hand during the build-up.

Alvarez, yet to score this season for Atletico, hit the post early in the second half.

United rallied and Fernandes's lob drifted narrowly wide before the Portuguese playmaker hit the crossbar from the left of the box after a corner routine.

However, the three-time European champions suffered a setback when defender Yoro was harshly dismissed after a VAR review for bringing down Canada striker Jonathan David as the last man.

It opened the door for Atletico to grab their second, with David foiled by goalkeeper Senne Lammens but London-born Nigeria international Lookman on hand to tuck home the rebound after 79 minutes.

Carrick withdrew playmaker Fernandes, looking ahead to the weekend visit to face rivals Leeds in the English top flight, where improvement is badly needed.

Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak saved from United substitute Matheus Cunha in the final stages but there was no way back for United.

Simeone's side were able to claim their first points after an opening defeat at Liverpool.

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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)
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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)
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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)
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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."