Al-Ittihad honor Benzema’s 501 career goals
JEDDAH: Al-Ittihad’s management and players celebrated striker Karim Benzema’s 501 career goals with a special ceremony before their practice session on Friday at the club’s stadium.
Macedonia Sport News
France’s Gasly extends Alpine contract until 2028
MONZA: Pierre Gasly has signed a contract extension with Alpine until the end of the 2028 Formula One season, the French team announced on Saturday. The 29-year-old joined the Renault-owned outfit for the 2023 season and has achieved two podiums for them. “I’m thrilled to commit my long-term future to Alpine,” said Gasly. “As a Frenchman, especially, driving for a French car company, makes me feel very proud.
Alcaraz downs Djokovic to reach US Open final
NEW YORK: Carlos Alcaraz beat 24-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic in straight sets on Friday to reach his second US Open final, where he could face reigning champion Jannik Sinner. Alcaraz won 6-4, 7-6 , 6-2 to reel off his 36th victory in his last 37 matches. His only loss in that time came to Sinner in the Wimbledon final. The 22-year-old Spaniard is seeking his sixth major and second in New York after winning the title in 2022.
Morocco first African qualifiers for 2026 World Cup
JOHANNESBURG: Morocco trounced 10-man Niger 5-0 in Rabat on Friday to win Group E and become the first African qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. Ismaeil Saibari scored twice in the first half after Abdul-Latif Goumey was sent off and second-half goals from Ayoub el Kaabi, Hamza Igamane and Azzedine Ounahi completed the rout
Suarez banned six matches for Leagues Cup spitting furor: official
NEW YORK: Inter Miami star Luis Suarez has been handed a six-match suspension for his actions following last weekend’s stormy Leagues Cup final defeat to the Seattle Sounders, tournament disciplinary chiefs said on Friday. The 38-year-old former Uruguay, Liverpool and Barcelona star was sanctioned for spitting at a Sounders official after becoming embroiled in a melee following Miami’s 3-0 loss. A statement from the Leagues Cup Disciplinary Committee said Suarez’s suspension would only apply to next year’s edition of the tournament, although Major League Soccer “reserves the right” to impose additional punishment. Suarez’s Inter Miami teammate Sergio Busquets has also been given a two-match ban.
Depleted Afghanistan edge UAE in a last-over thriller
SHARJAH: Pace bowler Fareed Ahmad kept cool in the last over Friday to foil Asif Khan’s aggressive hitting as a depleted Afghanistan beat United Arab Emirates by four runs in a tri-series match. After Asif opened the final over with a four, a six and a two, Ahmad beat the bat with the next two balls.
World Cricket Festival aims to create new sporting ecosystem in Saudi Arabia
RIYADH: The World Cricket Festival was launched in Riyadh on Friday night by Cricket Investment Co. in partnership with the Saudi Arabian Cricket Federation.
Trump to attend US Open men’s final: White House
WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump will attend the men’s final of the US Open tennis championship in New York on Sunday, a White House official said, marking the latest in a series of visits to major sporting events. Trump’s visit, confirmed to AFP on Friday by an official on condition of anonymity, comes after his attendance at the NFL’s Super Bowl in February and the FIFA Club World Cup championship final in July.