Barca mount late comeback to stun Atletico in thriller

Barca mount late comeback to stun Atletico in thriller
Atletico Madrid's Mozambicans defender #23 Reinildo Mandava fights for the ball with Barcelona's Spanish forward #19 Lamine Yamal during the Spanish league footbal match between Club Atletico de Madrid and FC Barcelona at Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid, on March 16, 2025. (AFP)
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Updated 17 March 2025
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Barca mount late comeback to stun Atletico in thriller

Barca mount late comeback to stun Atletico in thriller
  • Torres bagged his second late on to round off a win which could prove decisive come the end of the season

MADRID: Barcelona battled back from two goals down to beat Atletico Madrid 4-2 and land an important blow in the Spanish title race on Sunday.
Lamine Yamal struck in the 92nd minute and Ferran Torres in the 98th to help take the Catalans back top of the table after Real Madrid beat Villarreal on Saturday to briefly claim pole position.
Barcelona have a game in hand on the champions with both sides level on 60 points, while Atletico trail the top two by four after they crumbled at home against Hansi Flick’s side to end a disastrous week following their Champions League elimination.
Having twice been caught out late by Atletico this season, this time it was Barcelona’s turn to provide the sting in the tail, extending their unbeaten streak to 18 matches across all competitions.
Julian Alvarez and Alexander Sorloth put Atletico ahead before Robert Lewandowski and Torres hit back for Barca, who went on to win in stoppage time.
Flick selected Marc Casado in midfield, with Frenkie de Jong not fit enough to be included in the matchday squad.
The German had warned his players to stay focussed after they conceded a 96th minute goal in December to surrender the lead at the top of the table to Atletico in a 2-1 home defeat.
Barcelona also conceded two late goals in the Copa del Rey semifinal first leg to draw 4-4 against Diego Simeone’s side in February.
They played within themselves in the first half, overly cautious and conserving energy, failing to create many openings.
Teenage winger Yamal created one for himself but fired wide with Jan Oblak’s goal gaping, while Lewandowski directed a header at the Slovenian stopper.
At the other end Atletico wanted a penalty when Inigo Martinez pulled back Marcos Llorente in the area but they were not given it.
Barcelona’s best chance of the first half came when Pedri played in Lewandowski, who hit the top of the crossbar with a powerful drive. From the resulting goal kick, Atletico found the opener.
The hosts worked the ball to Griezmann, who threaded a brilliant pass across the area to Giuliano Simeone, with Alvarez finishing from his cut-back.
It provided a moment of joy for the former Manchester City striker who felt deep frustration in midweek when his penalty against Real Madrid was controversially disallowed for a supposed double touch on the ball, as Atletico were eliminated in the Champions League last 16 on Wednesday.
Yamal probed after the break as Barca looked for a way back in and Simeone turned to his bench to freshen up his side, who played 120 draining minutes against Los Blancos.
The coach introduced Sorloth and Conor Gallagher and they combined for Atletico’s second goal.
Atletico put together another fine team move with Griezmann heavily involved, before Gallagher squared to perennial super-sub Sorloth to net his 11th league goal of the season, despite just nine starts.
Barcelona had complaints about a Rodrigo De Paul handball in the build-up dismissed and they turned their anger into an instant response.
Martinez drove forward with the ball and slung it into the box for Lewandowski, who controlled well and powered a low finish past Oblak to spark the comeback.
Substitute Torres netted the equalizer when Raphinha, on an othewise quiet night in the capital for the Brazilian, crossed from the right.
With Atletico shaken, Barcelona took full advantage, with Yamal’s deflected shot from distance sending them ahead in stoppage time.
Torres bagged his second late on to round off a win which could prove decisive come the end of the season.


Global Champions Arabians Tour returns to Riyadh for fourth stage of the 2025 Europe and Middle East Series

Global Champions Arabians Tour returns to Riyadh for fourth stage of the 2025 Europe and Middle East Series
Updated 29 March 2025
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Global Champions Arabians Tour returns to Riyadh for fourth stage of the 2025 Europe and Middle East Series

Global Champions Arabians Tour returns to Riyadh for fourth stage of the 2025 Europe and Middle East Series
  • World’s premier Arabian horse series moves to new home at Jump Saudi Arena

RIYADH: Following three stages in Ajman, Doha and Muscat, the Global Champions Arabians Tour makes its return to Riyadh for the fourth stage of the Europe and Middle series — the final stop in the Middle East and the pivotal halfway point of this eight-stage 2025 tour.

With a new home at the purpose-built Jump Saudi Arena, spectators can expect to see close to 250 of the region’s finest Arabian horses competing for a place in the overall rankings and a share of the record-breaking prize money.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Nasser Al-Thani, deputy CEO of the tour, said: “We’re thrilled to be returning to Riyadh following a very successful final stage of the 2024 tour. The Saudis are very passionate about the Arabian horse, bringing high levels of excitement and an electric atmosphere to the tour. We expect high numbers of Saudi-bred horses and welcome the chance to see new competitors in the GCAT arena.”

As with each stage of the tour, the Riyadh event is set to feature local and international retailers and a cultural village with a host of family entertainment. While the contents of the closing ceremony remain under wraps, if the first three stages are anything to go by, Riyadh will be impressive.

The event runs from the April 9-12 and will be open to the public with free admission via the booking link, while hospitality packages are also available.


Offensive Iraq-Palestine World Cup qualifier video ‘fabricated,’ says Jordan Football Association

Offensive Iraq-Palestine World Cup qualifier video ‘fabricated,’ says Jordan Football Association
Updated 29 March 2025
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Offensive Iraq-Palestine World Cup qualifier video ‘fabricated,’ says Jordan Football Association

Offensive Iraq-Palestine World Cup qualifier video ‘fabricated,’ says Jordan Football Association
  • Fake video shared widely on social media claimed to show Jordanian fans chanting offensive slogans at the Iraqi players and supporters
  • Association says it verified the video was fabricated and is dismayed that some people seem set on inciting conflict, extremism and hatred among sports fans

AMMAN: The Jordanian Football Association expressed regret on Friday over a video widely shared on social media this week that appeared to show Jordanian fans chanting offensive slogans during a World Cup qualifier between Iraq and Palestine.
The footage was fabricated, it said.
The video, which claimed to show Jordanian fans directing insulting chants at the Iraqi players and supporters, began to spread online after Palestine defeated Iraq 2-1 in the match at the Amman International Stadium on Tuesday. It provoked heated exchanges online among the two sets of fans.
The JFA said it regretted the fabricated video and affirmed the depth of the historical, deep-rooted ties between the Jordanian and Iraqi peoples, which it said could not be damaged by people who act in ways that do not reflect true sporting values, the Jordan News Agency reported on Friday.
The association said it had verified the video was fake, and was dismayed that some individuals seem set on inciting conflict, extremism and hatred among sports fans. It urged supporters in Jordan to avoid being drawn into online exchanges of disrespectful remarks that “do not reflect the values of Jordanians.”
It praised the efforts of Jordanian and Iraqi sports journalists who had attempted to alert their followers on social media to the fact that the video was fake and urge them not to fall victim to such “provocative and inciteful” videos.
The association also reminded fans of the tremendous efforts made by Prince Ali bin Hussein, the president of the JFA, to help lift a long-running FIFA ban on international games in Iraq, and that Jordan had played Iraq in 2017 in the first international game played at Basra International Stadium, which was also the first international game to take place in the country in four years.
The JFA added: “While we support our national team in its quest for direct qualification to the World Cup with all our capabilities, we emphasize the importance of adhering to the spirit of sportsmanship and the depth of shared Arab relations.
“We wish all other Arab teams success in their journey in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.”


Brazil fires coach Dorival Júnior after worst defeat in World Cup qualifying

Brazil fires coach Dorival Júnior after worst defeat in World Cup qualifying
Updated 29 March 2025
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Brazil fires coach Dorival Júnior after worst defeat in World Cup qualifying

Brazil fires coach Dorival Júnior after worst defeat in World Cup qualifying
  • Júnior’s replacement has yet to be picked
  • Brazil are fifth in South American qualifying for the 2026 World Cup

SAO PAULO: Brazil coach Dorival Júnior was fired on Friday after 14 months amid poor results and disappointing performances from the national team.
Júnior’s sacking by Brazilian Football Confederation president Ednaldo Rodrigues came three days after a 4-1 defeat to bitter rival Argentina in Buenos Aires, Brazil’s heaviest defeat in a World Cup qualifier.
Júnior’s replacement has yet to be picked.
Brazil are fifth in South American qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. The top six qualify automatically.
Under the 62-year-old Júnior, Brazil won seven matches, drew another seven, and lost two. The team scored 25 goals and conceded 17.
In the Copa America last year, Brazil were eliminated in the quarterfinals by Uruguay on penalties.
Rodrigues was just re-elected on Monday to head the confederation to 2030. In 2023, he bet on Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti to take over one year later. While waiting for Ancelotti, Brazil retained Fernando Diniz as their coach.
Diniz was fired in January 2024 after six matches on the job after Ancelotti extended his contract in Spain.


PSG ‘feel like champions’ as Ligue 1 title nears, says Luis Enrique

PSG ‘feel like champions’ as Ligue 1 title nears, says Luis Enrique
Updated 28 March 2025
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PSG ‘feel like champions’ as Ligue 1 title nears, says Luis Enrique

PSG ‘feel like champions’ as Ligue 1 title nears, says Luis Enrique
  • “We’re never champions until it’s mathematically certain, but we can feel like champions,” Luis Enrique told reporters
  • “We’re going to use these last eight matches for other goals, to be competitive against all opponents”

POISSY, France: Coach Luis Enrique said Paris Saint-Germain “can feel like champions” knowing they could seal the Ligue 1 title this weekend but warned his players not to let their level drop.
The unbeaten league leaders go to second-bottom Saint-Etienne, where a win would secure an 11th French title in 13 seasons if Marseille lose away to Reims and Monaco draw with Nice on Saturday.
“We’re never champions until it’s mathematically certain, but we can feel like champions, we’re the best team in Ligue 1,” Luis Enrique told reporters on Friday.
“We’re going to use these last eight matches for other goals, to be competitive against all opponents... to be ready for the three months that remain.
“There’s the French Cup and the Champions League, where we want to be right to the end.”
PSG face second-tier Dunkerque in the semifinals of the French Cup in Lille next week before taking on Aston Villa in the last eight of the Champions League.
Luis Enrique doesn’t believe the possibility of wrapping up a record-extending 13th Ligue 1 title on Saturday should have any effect on his team’s mindset.
“It seems totally unimportant to me, there are eight games left in the league, we want to be competitive because that will prepare us in the best way for the other competitions,” said the Spaniard.
“I feel almost the same as I did this time last year, we were almost champions, in the semifinals of the cup and quarter-finals of the Champions League, with young players who have a year’s more experience.”
PSG will be without Lee Kang-in against Saint-Etienne after the South Korean picked up an ankle injury on international duty. Achraf Hakimi is also being rested after playing for Morocco in World Cup qualifying.


‘We don’t deserve bonus’: Man City boss Guardiola

‘We don’t deserve bonus’: Man City boss Guardiola
Updated 28 March 2025
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‘We don’t deserve bonus’: Man City boss Guardiola

‘We don’t deserve bonus’: Man City boss Guardiola
  • Guardiola believes City have underachieved so badly that they will not deserve a bonus
  • “If we win, I don’t know how much but it is for the club,” Guardiola said

LONDON: Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has admitted he and his players do not deserve a bonus even if they salvage their dismal season by winning the Club World Cup.
Guardiola’s side are languishing in fifth place in the Premier League and crashed out of the Champions League and League Cup.
English champions for the previous four seasons, City could finish without a major trophy for the first time since Guardiola’s maiden season in charge in 2016/17.
Their last hope of landing domestic silverware lies in the FA Cup, with a quarter-final tie at Bournemouth looming on Sunday.
But even if they win the FA Cup or the Club World Cup in June and July, Guardiola believes City have underachieved so badly that they will not deserve a bonus from the big prize pot on offer at the post-season tournament in the United States.
FIFA, the sport’s global governing body, confirmed this week that the Club World Cup winners will earn up to $125 million in prize money, with a total pot of $1 billion going to the 32 participating clubs.
“We don’t deserve it this season. We don’t deserve a bonus this season. If we win, I don’t know how much but it is for the club,” Guardiola told reporters on Friday.
“The manager, the players, the backroom staff, we don’t deserve. Not even a watch.”