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Sevilla rout ‘horrendous’ Barca, Atletico drop points

BARCELONA: Spanish champions Barcelona collapsed in a shock 4-1 demolition at Sevilla on Sunday in La Liga, with Alexis Sanchez scoring against his former side and Robert Lewandowski missing a penalty for the visitors. The Catalans sit second in the table after their first league defeat of the campaign, two points behind bitter rivals Real Madrid following Los Blancos’ victory over Villarreal on Saturday, while Sevilla rise to sixth. Real Betis moved fourth with a 2-1 win at Espanyol, thanks to a stoppage-time penalty save by their goalkeeper Pau Lopez, who formerly played for the Catalans. Atletico Madrid stumbled to a 1-1 draw at Celta Vigo after having Clement Lenglet sent off in the first half and sit fifth. Veteran Chilean winger Sanchez put Sevilla ahead from the penalty spot early on against Barca and Isaac Romero doubled the hosts’ lead after having already missed two good chances. Marcus Rashford pulled a goal back before half-time, but Lewandowski fired wide from the spot to spurn his team’s best chance of an equalizer. Jose Carmona and Akor Adams wrapped up Sevilla’s emphatic win in the final stages, as Hansi Flick’s side fell to an unusually heavy defeat. “The team’s first 45 minutes were horrendous.

World Series champion Dodgers take control against Phillies headed into Game 2 of NLDS

PHILADELPHIA: The Phillies had Shohei Ohtani on the ropes on the mound and tied up at the plate, the Dodgers’ two-way star seemingly losing the air of invincibility that surrounds him. Ohtani the ace recovered, and he did it one swing-and-a-miss at a time against a string of All-Stars in the Phillies’ lineup. Trea Turner, Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper all disappeared in the playoffs again in Game 1 of the NL Division Series, a combined 1-for-11 effort with six strikeouts and no RBIs in the 5-3 loss. Game 2 is Monday at Citizens Bank Park, you know, that boisterous ballpark known for its so-called four hours of hell that is supposed to rattle the nerves of even the most steeled players. Heck, even a three-time MVP such as Ohtani — who struck out four times Saturday night — acknowledged ahead of the game that he was a bit anxious to face the fans. Here’s the headache for the Phillies: They have wasted home-field advantage with four losses in their last five postseason home games.

Cubs use 6 pitchers to shut down Padres, earn NLDS berth

Michael Busch homered to cap a three-hit performance, helping the host Chicago Cubs advance to the National League Division Series with a 3-1 win over the San Diego Padres on Thursday. Chicago secured a 2-1 victory in the best-of-three NL wild-card series, paving the way for a matchup against the top-seeded Milwaukee Brewers in the NLDS. Game 1 of the best-of-five series is set for Saturday in Milwaukee. Pete Crow-Armstrong delivered an RBI single in the second inning to highlight his own three-hit outing. Dansby Swanson worked a bases-loaded walk later in the second and turned in several stellar defensive plays for the Cubs, who rebounded from a 3-0 setback on Wednesday. “Takes me back to my childhood,” Swanson said on ESPN.

International cricket strives to leave Asia Cup 2025 behind

LONDON: Last week’s column suggested that Pakistan were the favorites to beat Bangladesh for a place in the Asia Cup 2025 final. It also suggested that the contest would be close. Prior to the match I asked a respected match commentator for his prediction. His view was that Pakistan ought to win but this “depended on how they turned up on the day.” Pakistan have a reputation for mercurial performances. The match that unfolded was gripping and flawed. The body language and mannerisms of the players conveyed the tensions involved.

Jameel Motorsport launches first Saudi team in Extreme E and FIA Extreme H World Cup

JEDDAH: Jameel Motorsport has announced its entry in Extreme E and the FIA Extreme H World Cup. Behind the wheel will be one of the most successful driver pairings in Extreme E history, Kevin Hansen and Molly Taylor.

Football cannot solve conflicts like Gaza but carries message of peace, says FIFA’s Infantino

*FIFA promotes peace amid global conflicts, says Infantino*FIFA faces calls to suspend Israel from international footballZURICH: FIFA President Gianni Infantino said on Thursday that football could not solve conflicts, but it must carry a message of peace and unity as Israel’s military operation in Gaza and other global tensions fuel calls for the sport to take a stand.“At FIFA, we are committed to using the power of football to bring people together in a divided world,” Infantino told a FIFA Council meeting in Zurich.“Our thoughts are with those who are suffering in the many conflicts that exist around the world today, and the most important message that football can convey right now is one of peace and unity.”Infantino said world football’s governing body could not solve geopolitical crises, but “it can and must promote football around the world by harnessing its unifying, educational, cultural and humanitarian values.”FIFA has faced repeated calls to act over the war in Gaza, with Palestinian officials pressing for Israel to be suspended from international football.The issue has been under review by FIFA for months, but no decision has been taken. Infantino has consistently said such matters require consensus with the confederations and must be handled with caution.The comments came a day after FIFA Vice President Victor Montagliani noted that any decision over Israel’s participation in European competitions, including World Cup qualifiers, was a matter for UEFA to decide, effectively putting the onus on the European body.“First and foremost, it (Israel) is a member of UEFA, no different than I have to deal with a member of my region for whatever reason...

Japanese players headline Mid East Falcons roster for Baseball United’s first season

DUBAI: Baseball United has announced that 13 of the 23 roster spots for its Mid East Falcons franchise will feature Japanese players.

Jannik Sinner thrashes Learner Tien to win China Open for 21st title

BEIJING: Jannik Sinner won the 21st title of his career by thrashing American teenager Learner Tien 6-2, 6-2 in the China Open final on Wednesday. The Italian world number two lifted the trophy for the second time on Beijing’s hard courts, where he beat Daniil Medvedev in the final on his tournament debut in 2023. The 24-year-old is the third man to win multiple China Open titles after Novak Djokovic with six and Rafael Nadal with two. His only loss on Beijing’s center Diamond Court has been to great rival Carlos Alcaraz, who won last year’s championship match in three gripping sets. Alcaraz was not defending his title in the Chinese capital and on Tuesday won the Japan Open in Tokyo. Sinner broke immediately in the first set on the way to outclassing the 19-year-old Tien, who was in his first ATP final. The world no.

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Sevilla rout ‘horrendous’ Barca, Atletico drop points

World Series champion Dodgers take control against Phillies headed into Game 2 of NLDS

Cubs use 6 pitchers to shut down Padres, earn NLDS berth

International cricket strives to leave Asia Cup 2025 behind

Jameel Motorsport launches first Saudi team in Extreme E and FIA Extreme H World Cup

Football cannot solve conflicts like Gaza but carries message of peace, says FIFA’s Infantino

Japanese players headline Mid East Falcons roster for Baseball United’s first season

Jannik Sinner thrashes Learner Tien to win China Open for 21st title