Saudi sports minister congratulates Green Falcons on World Cup qualification
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Sport Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal has congratulated the Green Falcons for qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Tennis Sport News
Saudi boxer Yara Al-Amri’s life changed after history-making Asian medal win
RIYADH: The end of 2024 will always hold special memories for Yara Al-Amri. In December last year the young boxer made history by becoming the first Saudi woman to win an Asian medal in boxing — a new milestone for the Kingdom’s fast-growing women’s sports scene.
Pep talks with Djokovic as Sabalenka vows to improve ‘in everything’
HONG KONG: World number one Aryna Sabalenka said she needs to improve her tennis “in literally everything” and how Novak Djokovic is helping her do it on and off the court. In a wide-ranging interview, the four-time Grand Slam champion talked about ignoring hate on social media, nearly quitting and her hopes and fears for life after tennis. The 27-year-old from Belarus is now the undoubted women’s number one but it was hard work and suffering which got her there, and some of it played out very publicly. Sabalenka, then two in the world, was reduced to tears as her serve spectacularly deserted her at a tournament in the lead-up to the 2022 Australian Open. “I couldn’t put one serve in. I was double-faulting 40 times.
Messi set for Argentina return in Puerto Rico friendly
Lionel Messi has rejoined the Argentina squad and could feature in Tuesday’s friendly against Puerto Rico, coach Lionel Scaloni said after the forward skipped their 1-0 victory over Venezuela to play for Inter Miami at the weekend. Messi scored twice in Inter Miami’s 4-0 victory over Atlanta United in Major League Soccer on Saturday, and Scaloni said he would speak to the 38-year-old about his fitness before deciding if he plays against Puerto Rico. “I saw Messi play on Saturday. From what I know, he finished well.
Barcelona’s Lewandowski suffers thigh injury
MADRID: Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski has suffered a torn thigh muscle, the club said on Tuesday, with the Poland captain facing a spell on the sidelines that could rule him out of next week’s LaLiga clash against Real Madrid. The 37-year-old played the full 90 minutes and scored a goal in Poland’s 2-0 World Cup qualifying win over Lithuania on Sunday. “Lewandowski has a muscle injury in the biceps femoris of the left thigh.
Aleksandar Rakic ready for undefeated Azamat Murzakanov at UFC 321 in Abu Dhabi
ABU DHABI: Aleksandar Rakic is returning to Abu Dhabi with one goal in mind — redemption. The Austrian-Serbian light heavyweight is set to face the undefeated Azamat Murzakanov at UFC 321 — Aspinall v Gane on Oct. 25 at Etihad Arena — in a fight that could mark a major turning point in his career.
Tennis star Aryna Sabalenka nearly strikes ballboy with racket throw in frustrating loss
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France held in Iceland as Germany and Belgium close on 2026 World Cup
PARIS: Injury-hit France were held to a 2-2 draw by Iceland in 2026 World Cup qualifying on Monday, while Germany won in Northern Ireland with a Nick Woltemade goal and Belgium beat Wales to stand on the brink of a place at next year’s finals. France, World Cup winners in 2018 and runners-up in 2022, were without a host of players in Reykjavik including captain Kylian Mbappe and Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele, both out injured. They fell behind to a Victor Palsson goal late in the first half, but Christopher Nkunku equalized just after the hour mark. Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta then gave Les Bleus the lead midway through the second half, getting his first senior international goal on his first start. However, Iceland were back level almost from the restart as Kristian Hlynsson of FC Twente ran through unchallenged to make it 2-2. France could have clinched qualification for next year’s tournament in North America with a win in Reykjavik combined with Ukraine failing to beat Azerbaijan at the same time. But while they were dropping points, Ukraine were beating Azerbaijan 2-1 in the Polish city of Krakow — Oleksiy Hutsuliak and Ruslan Malinovskiy scored for Ukraine either side of a Vitaliy Mykolenko own goal. France are nevertheless three points clear at the top of Group D with two games remaining next month, and a win at home to second-placed Ukraine in Paris will wrap up top spot. “We totally controlled the game. Iceland had two shots on target and scored two goals,” France coach Didier Deschamps told TFI.