Dortmund fight back to beat Lille and reach Champions League quarters

Dortmund fight back to beat Lille and reach Champions League quarters
Borussia Dortmund’s Emre Can celebrates scoring their first goal with Maximilian Beier during their Champions League — Round of 16 — Second Leg — match against Lille at Decathlon Arena Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Villeneuve-d’Ascq, France — Mar. 12, 2025. (Reuters)
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Updated 12 March 2025
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Dortmund fight back to beat Lille and reach Champions League quarters

Dortmund fight back to beat Lille and reach Champions League quarters
  • Jonathan David gave Lille an early lead on the night
  • Dortmund will now face Barcelona in the quarter-finals next month

LILLE, France: Borussia Dortmund recovered from losing an early goal to fight back and beat Lille 2-1 in France in the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Wednesday, sealing a 3-2 aggregate victory and a place in the quarter-finals.
Jonathan David gave Lille an early lead on the night, putting the French club ahead in the tie after last week’s 1-1 first-leg draw.
However, Emre Can squared things by converting a penalty for Dortmund on 54 minutes, and Maximilian Beier then fired in a fine winner for last season’s runners-up.
Dortmund will now face Barcelona in the quarter-finals next month, having already lost 3-2 at home to the Catalans during the league phase in December.
The result is a huge boost for Dortmund and their recently-appointed coach Niko Kovac, coming as the club languishes in 10th place in the Bundesliga.
It is a massive disappointment for Lille, who were hoping to reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League for the first time in their history after an outstanding performance during the league phase.
They finished seventh out of 36 teams, beating both Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid on the way, while also holding Juventus and putting six past Feyenoord.
Lille appeared to be in a strong position after coming from behind to draw in Dortmund last week, and they went in front in the tie when Canada forward David scored in the fifth minute.
Ismaily’s low ball in from the left was swept toward goal by David, somehow going in through the legs of Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel.
It was David’s seventh goal in this season’s Champions League, but it seemed to galvanize the visitors.
They were denied an equalizer by a remarkable double save from Lille ‘keeper Lucas Chevalier in the midst of a goalmouth scramble on 20 minutes.
Dortmund applied pressure and were rewarded when they won a penalty shortly after half-time as Serhou Guirassy went down under contact from Thomas Meunier.
Can fired in the spot-kick, and Karim Adeyemi then hit the bar for Dortmund before they found what proved to be the winner on 65 minutes.
Guirassy, who has 10 goals in the Champions League this season, was the provider but Beier still had work to do as he controlled the ball in the box before firing a lethal shot high into the net.
Lille could not recover from that blow as they went out in the last 16, just like in their two previous appearances at this stage of the competition, in 2007 and 2022.


Ronaldo tops Forbes’ list of highest-paid athletes for third year in a row

Ronaldo tops Forbes’ list of highest-paid athletes for third year in a row
Updated 10 sec ago
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Ronaldo tops Forbes’ list of highest-paid athletes for third year in a row

Ronaldo tops Forbes’ list of highest-paid athletes for third year in a row
  • Since he joined Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr, the Portuguese forward’s estimated total earnings are around $275 million
  • Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry is second at $156 million, followed by boxer Tyson Fury with $135 million

 

Cristiano Ronaldo topped Forbes’ list of the world’s highest-paid athletes for the third consecutive year and the fifth time in his career.
Following his move to Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr, Ronaldo’s estimated total earnings are around $275 million.
The Portuguese forward increased his income by $15 million through off-field endorsements as well as lucrative sponsorship deals backed by his large social media followers: 939 million in total as of May.
Meanwhile, Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, who in March became the first NBA player to reach 4,000 career three-pointers, jumped to second place in the rankings with $156 million.
Boxer Tyson Fury claimed third place with $135 million. Despite losing his world heavyweight titles to Oleksandr Usyk in December, Fury’s income has been boosted by partnerships promoting Maltese tourism and his Netflix reality show.
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, reached fourth with $137 million, thanks to record-breaking signing bonuses and a lucrative contract extension.
Meanwhile, Argentine Lionel Messi dropped to fifth place with $135 million — the same as last year — having moved to Major League Soccer side Inter Miami, as well as continuing to receive high-profile endorsements from Adidas and Apple.
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, nearing the end of his illustrious career, came sixth with $133.8 million.
MLB New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto came in at a remarkable seventh place, earning $114 million. The 26-year-old Dominican signed a $765 million, 15-year contract, the largest in baseball history.
French striker Karim Benzema, who plays for Saudi Arabia’s Al Ittihad, is eighth with earnings of $104 million.
Japanese Shohei Ohtani is in ninth place with $102.5 million, having deferred most of his earnings from his mega-contract with MLB team Los Angeles Dodgers. His earnings were boosted significantly by their World Series victory last year.
NBA Phoenix Suns’ Kevin Durant rounds off the top 10 with $101.4 million.


Sinner sends message by demolishing Ruud to reach Italian Open semis

Sinner sends message by demolishing Ruud to reach Italian Open semis
Updated 30 min 28 sec ago
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Sinner sends message by demolishing Ruud to reach Italian Open semis

Sinner sends message by demolishing Ruud to reach Italian Open semis
  • Ruud was supposed to be Sinner’s toughest test in Rome
  • The 23-year-old demolished sixth seed Ruud in just over an hour with an ominous display of tennis

ROME: Jannik Sinner marched into the semifinals of the Italian Open on Wednesday after destroying Casper Ruud in straight sets 6-0, 6-1 and sending a warning that the world number one is officially back.

Ruud was supposed to be Sinner’s toughest test in Rome since he came back from his three-month doping ban, as the Norwegian came into the match in hot form on clay after winning in Madrid earlier this month.

In his previous matches Sinner looked to be still finding his feet after his suspension, accepted from the World Anti-Doping Agency for testing positive for traces of clostebol in March last year.

But the 23-year-old demolished sixth seed Ruud in just over an hour with an ominous display of tennis, his domination such that the home fans at the packed center court, seemingly out of sympathy, began to cheer the rare points that Ruud won.

Ruud even got the loudest cheer of the match when he held his serve for the only time, in game three of the second set, holding his arms aloft in ironic celebration.

“I was feeling great on court today. I think we all saw that,” said Sinner.

“How I felt today was very, very positive signs for me... I was serving well and also returning well. Moving great on the court, so I’m very happy about that.”

Tommy Paul, a 7-6 (7/4), 6-3 winner over Hubert Hurkacz in the day’s first match, will have wondered what on earth he can do to stop Sinner if the Italian brings that form to Friday’s last-four clash.

Sinner won the first set in just 27 minutes, giving up only seven points as he stalked the court with intent, dressed all in black as he has been all week.

And he then maintained his record of not dropping a set in the tournament to not so much stroll as smash into the last four, and send a message to Carlos Alcaraz.

Spaniard Alcaraz, Sinner’s key Grand Slam rival ahead of the French Open, will contest the other semifinal with Lorenzo Musetti on Friday afternoon, with the blockbuster final tennis fans wanted still on.

Home hope and sixth seed Paolini became the third Italian woman to reach the Foro Italico final, and the first since her doubles partner Sara Errani was thumped by Serena Williams in 2014.

Late bloomer Paolini, 29, will face one of Coco Gauff and China’s Zheng Qinwen, who beat world number one Aryna Sabalenka on Wednesday night, after beating Peyton Stearns 7-5, 6-1.

“It’s a privilege to be in this position. I matured late as a tennis player but everyone has their own path. Some mature earlier and some later,” said Paolini.

“I’m just enjoying it without thinking too much about the past.”

Paolini was favorite to get past unseeded Stearns but early on her American opponent showed why she got to her first 1000 series semifinal by knocking out a succession of big names including Naomi Osaka and fifth seed Madison Keys.

Paolini looked way off the pace when she lost the first three games of the match in surprisingly timid fashion, serving weakly and mishitting a host of simple shots.

But she slowly began to force herself back into the contest, putting pressure on Stearns to find shots with her serving and finding both more power and accuracy on her forehand.

Stearns’ frustration was clear to see after being broken to allow Paolini to serve for the set, lashing her racket into her bag before giving herself a telling off in her seat.

And a break of serve in the third game of the second set deflated Stearns, whose fate was sealed two games later when Paolini took the third of three break points, roaring her joy to her delighted supporters in the center court stands before comfortably seeing out the match.

Paolini could yet win both the singles and women’s doubles tournaments, with her and Errani taking on Mirra Andreeva and Diana Shnaider in the semifinals on Friday.


Sports minister approves formation of Saudi Boxing Federation’s board of directors

Sports minister approves formation of Saudi Boxing Federation’s board of directors
Updated 15 May 2025
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Sports minister approves formation of Saudi Boxing Federation’s board of directors

Sports minister approves formation of Saudi Boxing Federation’s board of directors
  • Turki bin Abdulmohsen Alalshikh chairs the board
  • The step marks an important move to enhance Saudi Arabia’s presence on the global sports stage

RIYADH: Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, minister of sports and president of the Saudi Olympic & Paralympic Committee, approved the formation of the Saudi Boxing Federation’s board of directors on Thursday.
Turki bin Abdulmohsen Alalshikh will chair the board, which was formed in a step that marks an important move to enhance Saudi Arabia’s presence on the global sports stage and develop the sport of boxing locally, said a media statement.
The board also includes Eng. Faisal Bafarat, Dr. Rakan Al-Harthy, Mohammed Al-Khereiji, Abdulrahman Al-Hamoud, Majid Al-Gharabi, Mohammed Al-Hamdan, Firas Moaddan, and Sultan Alalshikh.
The members bring with them a range of expertise and experience, according to the statement, that will significantly contribute to the growth of the sport and help expand its presence in the Kingdom, paving the way for global aspirations.
Alalshikh extended his thanks and appreciation to Prince Abdulaziz and to Prince Fahad bin Jalawi bin Abdulaziz bin Musaed, the committee’s vice president, for their trust and continued support in developing Saudi sports in general, and boxing in particular.
This appointment aligns with a comprehensive vision aimed at expanding the base of boxing practitioners in the Kingdom, raising the level of competitiveness, and hosting international tournaments that reinforce Saudi Arabia’s status as a leading destination for major global sports events.
The decision comes at a time when the sports sector in the Kingdom is witnessing a major leap in terms of investment and event hosting.
Boxing has received considerable attention following the organization of several world class bouts that drew global audiences, in addition to the participation of Saudi champions in various continental and international championships, concluded the statement.


Spurs’ Kulusevski out for a few months after knee surgery, Postecoglou says

Spurs’ Kulusevski out for a few months after knee surgery, Postecoglou says
Updated 15 May 2025
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Spurs’ Kulusevski out for a few months after knee surgery, Postecoglou says

Spurs’ Kulusevski out for a few months after knee surgery, Postecoglou says
  • The Sweden international was injured in the 2-0 Premier League defeat to Crystal Palace
  • “Obviously disappointing news,” Postecoglou told reporters

LONDON: Tottenham Hotspur attacking midfielder Dejan Kulusevski will be out for a few months after having knee surgery, said manager Ange Postecoglou, and will miss Wednesday’s Europa League final.

The Sweden international was injured in the 2-0 Premier League defeat at home to Crystal Palace at the weekend

“Obviously disappointing news. Initially we thought it wasn’t too serious ... it kind of blew up the day after and we knew there was an issue,” Postecoglou told reporters on Thursday.

“He’s had the surgery which will put him out for at least a few months.”

Asked if Kulusevski would be back for the start of next season, Postecoglou said it was too early to say.

“We’ll see. I only have basic information at the moment in terms of recovery, but it’ll certainly put him out for a while,” he added.

Spurs face fellow Premier League strugglers Manchester United in the Europa League final in Bilbao.


Infantino’s late arrival from Trump tour in Middle East delays start of FIFA annual meeting

Infantino’s late arrival from Trump tour in Middle East delays start of FIFA annual meeting
Updated 15 May 2025
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Infantino’s late arrival from Trump tour in Middle East delays start of FIFA annual meeting

Infantino’s late arrival from Trump tour in Middle East delays start of FIFA annual meeting
  • FIFA said a new start time was set for three hours later
  • Qatar hosted the men’s World Cup in 2022 and Saudi Arabia will host in 2034

ASUNCION: FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s late arrival from the Middle East, where he joined US President Donald Trump’s state visits to Saudi Arabia and Qatar this week, delayed the opening of FIFA’s annual meeting of 211 member federations on Thursday.

Infantino’s flight in a private jet to Paraguay from Doha, via a stop in Nigeria, was still in the air at the 9:30 a.m. local time (1230GMT) scheduled start of the meeting he was to address in Asuncion.

FIFA said a new start time was set for three hours later.

Officials from the national federations have gathered in Paraguay all week ahead of the last FIFA Congress before the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Infantino opted to join President Trump on the first legs of the tour instead of meeting with his voting members. Qatar hosted the men’s World Cup in 2022 and Saudi Arabia will host in 2034.

On Wednesday in Doha, Qatar’s ruling Emir — a fellow member of the International Olympic Committee with Infantino — hosted the visiting delegations at a state dinner at Lusail Palace.

Infantino has built close ties to both Trump administrations. President Trump is set to present the trophy at the finals in New Jersey of both the Club World Cup in July and the World Cup next year.