Sports
Messi’s final game for PSG ends in defeat
Messi’s final game for PSG ends in defeat
Lionel Messi was jeered by a section of Paris Saint-Germain supporters as he played his final game for the club in the Ligue 1 champions’ 3-2 home defeat by Clermont on Saturday.
Messi’s expected departure from the French giants after two seasons was officially confirmed by PSG in a statement shortly before Saturday’s game.
“His contribution to Paris Saint-Germain and Ligue 1 cannot be underestimated and we wish Leo and his family all the best for the future,” said PSG president Nasser al-Khelaifi.
Yet Messi’s name was jeered by some fans as the teams were announced at the Parc des Princes and the Argentinian World Cup winner was again whistled sporadically during the match.
There was little riding on the game itself after PSG wrapped up a record 11th French title last weekend, and Christophe Galtier’s side contrived to throw away a two-goal lead.
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Sergio Ramos, whose own departure from PSG was confirmed on Friday, marked his final appearance by heading in a Vitinha cross for the opener in the 16th minute.
– Tribute to injured Rico –
Mbappe, looking to end a fifth consecutive season as Ligue 1’s top scorer, then scored a penalty to make it 2-0 with his 29th league goal this season, which he marked by holding up goalkeeper Sergio Rico’s number 16 jersey.
Spaniard Rico, PSG’s back-up goalkeeper, is in a serious condition in hospital in Seville after being injured in a horse-riding accident last weekend.
“The most important thing was the tribute to Sergio,” Mbappe told broadcaster Canal Plus.
“There are more important things than football, and on the pitch we were already champions. We could have lost 22-0 and that would not have changed anything for us.
“We had to pay tribute to Sergio. I think we have all been affected by what is an extremely serious situation. We have been worried about that all week and so we tried to pay tribute in the best possible way.”
Mbappe’s goals tally left him two ahead of Lyon’s Alexandre Lacazette in the final standings.
Johan Gastien pounced on a Marco Verratti mistake to pull a goal back for Clermont, who then saw Grejohn Kyei miss a penalty.
The visitors then equalised in first-half stoppage time when Mehdi Zeffane netted from close range after Gianluigi Donnarumma spilled the ball.
Kyei got Clermont’s winner in the second half when he turned in a cross with his knee.
Messi’s final game for PSG ends in defeat
Sports
Man United thrash Barnsley 7-0 in EFL Cup game
Man United thrash Barnsley 7-0 in EFL Cup game
Manchester United enjoyed a dominant performance in the EFL Cup, securing their biggest victory under manager Erik ten Hag with a crushing win over League One side Barnsley.
United sailed into the last-16 of the competition, delivering an emphatic 7-0 win.
Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, and veteran midfielder Christian Eriksen each scored twice, while Brazilian winger Antony converted a first-half penalty, contributing to the rout.
This win marked United’s most significant victory since their 9-0 demolition of Southampton in February 2021, when Covid-19 restrictions kept the stands empty.
For Ten Hag, this match was a milestone as it was the first time his team scored five or more goals since his appointment. Eriksen’s late brace further added to the celebratory mood, capping a night that the Dutch manager described as “perfect.”
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“For the team, this is the perfect night,” said Ten Hag. “We did everything we planned—winning to reach the next round, scoring some great goals, entertaining the fans, and working on our game model, so we are happy.”
Despite the vocal support from Barnsley’s traveling fans, Darrell Clarke’s side was thoroughly outmatched.
Their most notable moment came when Clarke himself showed a brilliant touch to control a ball that had gone out of play, earning applause from both sets of supporters.
United also handed a first start to their £50.5 million signing, Manuel Ugarte. The Uruguayan midfielder looked assured throughout the game, giving Ten Hag confidence that his team is nearing the complete squad he envisioned when he took over in 2022.
Despite the victory, Ten Hag remains grounded. “I wasn’t devastated after Liverpool, and I’m not celebrating now. We will see where we are in May because then we have to be good,” he said, emphasizing the long-term goals for the season.
Man United thrash Barnsley 7-0 in EFL Cup game
Sports
Liverpool fan killed while crossing highway in Italy
Liverpool fan killed while crossing highway in Italy
A 51-year-old Irish Liverpool fan tragically lost his life on Monday night while attempting to cross the A4 highway near Orio al Serio Airport in Bergamo, Italy.
Reports from multiple Italian media outlets indicate that the unnamed fan had just arrived in Italy from Manchester when he was struck by a vehicle.
Local authorities found the man’s body near the airport, with no sign of the two individuals who had accompanied him on the trip.
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According to the Italian daily Il Corriere della Sera, the deceased was a devoted Liverpool supporter and held a ticket for the highly anticipated Champions League match between AC Milan and Liverpool at the San Siro stadium.
The unfortunate incident occurred as he was trying to reach the NH Hotel, where he was set to stay before the big match.
Investigations are currently underway, and the tragic death of this Liverpool fan has cast a shadow over what was meant to be an exciting European adventure for supporters.
Liverpool fan killed while crossing highway in Italy
Sports
Ronaldo’s Al Nassr fires head coach
Ronaldo’s Al Nassr fires head coach
Saudi Arabian outfit, Al Nassr on Tuesday sacked Luis Castro as coach of the club.
The Saudi Pro League club announced on Tuesday that Castro had been dismissed from his role following weeks of speculation over his future.
“Al Nassr can announce that Head Coach Luis Castro has left the Club,” read a club statement, posted on X.
“Everyone at Al Nassr would like to thank Luis and his staff for their dedicated work during the past 14 months, wishing them the best of luck for the future.”
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Castro, 63, leaves Al Nassr seventh in the Saudi Pro League, three games into the new season.
Meanwhile, former AC Milan head coach Stefano Pioli is set to take charge of the Saudi club instead, with a deal “on the verge” of being agreed.
Ronaldo’s Al Nassr fires head coach
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