Brighton picks a point against Marseille
Joao Pedro scored a late penalty as Brighton fought back from two goals down to earn their first point in European football with a battling Europa League draw at Marseille.
The Seagulls were looking to bounce back after they were thrashed 6-1 by Aston Villa in the Premier League on Saturday.
Two goals in as many first-half minutes gave them a mountain to climb as former Newcastle defender Chancel Mbemba swept in before Jordan Veretout took advantage of a mistake by Brighton captain Lewis Dunk to add a second moments later.
Brighton thought they were awarded a penalty by the video assistant referee (VAR) soon after, with the referee appearing to point to the spot after consulting the pitchside monitor, but instead a free-kick for a foul was given to Marseille.
The visitors overcame that disappointment to pull a goal back early in the second half when Pascal Gross drove in from a Kaoru Mitoma cutback, before Pedro kept his cool to complete the impressive recovery.
After conceding two quick goals, a point looked unlikely for Brighton, who were far from their best in the opening 45 minutes.
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They struggled to produce their usual free-flowing football and were making mistakes in defence, with Mbemba given far too much space for the opener before an uncharacteristic lapse in concentration by Dunk.
When VAR confusion led to Brighton not getting a penalty they thought they had been given before the break, it looked like it would not be their night.
But Roberto de Zerbi’s side came out for the second half much improved as they attacked with pace and a directness that Marseille struggled to deal with.
Gross’ goal gave Brighton hope and when Tariq Lamptey was brought down inside the box, Pedro stepped up to score his third goal in Europe.
There remain concerns over Brighton defensively – they have conceded 20 goals in 10 games in all competitions this season – but they will rightly celebrate this historic point.
With Brighton 2-0 down at half-time, De Zerbi could have been forgiven for fearing a repeat of the Villa game, but his side produced a response to be proud of.
“I’m really proud of the performance today, of the players,” he said.
“After the defeat 6-1 at Villa Park and the second goal to close the first half at 2-0, this reaction is incredible. For it I am very happy.
“It’s important playing with heart, passion and the right behaviour.”
BBC
Super Eagles seal AFCON 2025 spot, draw 1-1 against Benin
Victor Osimhen’s late header helped the Super Eagles of Nigeria secure a 1-1 draw against Benin Republic in Abidjan, clinching their qualification for the 2025 African Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Benin, playing their matches in Côte d’Ivoire, took an early lead in the 16th minute when Mohammed Tijani headed in a short corner.
The goal followed a period of sustained pressure from the Beninoise side on the Nigerian defence.
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Benin nearly doubled their advantage shortly afterwards, but goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali made a crucial save to keep Nigeria in the game.
Osimhen threatened as the first half progressed, with a powerful header that narrowly missed the target.
In the second half, Benin came close again, but a shot veered inches wide of the right post, sparing the Eagles further trouble.
With nine minutes remaining, Osimhen rose to the occasion, connecting with a precise cross from Moses Simon to level the score at 1-1.
With this result, the Super Eagles top Group D with 11 points from five matches, while Benin hold second place with seven points.
BREAKING: Super Eagles qualify for AFCON 2025
The Super Eagles of Nigeria have secured their qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, following Libya’s 1-0 victory over Rwanda in Kigali.
This result leaves Rwanda with five points from five matches, rendering them unable to surpass Nigeria in the standings, even if they win their upcoming match against the Super Eagles in Uyo.
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Currently, Nigeria leads Group D with 10 points, followed by Benin with six points, Rwanda with five, and Libya at the bottom with four points.
Benin remains in contention for the second qualification spot and will face Nigeria in a crucial match tonight.
Libya is set to host Benin in the final Group D game on Monday.
Mike Tyson back in ring to face Youtuber Paul
Nearly 40 years after making his professional debut, and 19 years after being battered into retirement, a 58-year-old Mike Tyson will climb back into the ring on Friday for a Netflix-backed bout that has drawn widespread condemnation across the boxing world.
Tyson, who terrorised the heavyweight division during an imperious reign in the late 1980s, is lacing up the gloves once more to take on Youtuber Jake Paul, 27, in an officially sanctioned fight at AT&T Stadium, the home of the Dallas Cowboys, in Arlington, Texas.
The fight, which will be comprised of eight two-minute rounds, was initially due to take place in July but was postponed in May after Tyson required medical treatment on a flight from Miami to Los Angeles after vomiting blood due to a bleeding ulcer.
That gory mid-air emergency has provided another piece of ammunition for the numerous critics who have condemned Friday’s contest as a macabre circus act that poses an unacceptable level of risk for Tyson, who last graced a professional ring in 2005, when he was beaten via a technical knockout after quitting on his stool against Irish journeyman Kevin McBride.
“Twenty years ago, Mike Tyson retired from boxing, and was shot to pieces, right? I mean, completely shot,” the prominent British fight promoter Eddie Hearn said this week.
“If anyone thinks that Mike Tyson should be in a ring at this age, you either have absolutely no emotional feelings toward the man, or you’re an idiot. It shouldn’t be happening.”
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Hearn’s rival promoter Frank Warren echoed those sentiments.
“Mike Tyson is 58 years of age and he shouldn’t be fighting,” Warren said after the bout was announced. “It’s as simple as that.
“Anyone with an ounce of brains knows that it is ridiculous. You can be on a motorway stuck in a traffic jam and you get to the end of it and all it is is people who have stopped to look at a crash — and that’s what this is.”
Tyson, who US reports say is being paid around $20 million for Friday’s contest, has brushed off the concerns for his wellbeing, insisting when critics from the boxing world are motivated by jealousy.
“I’m beautiful, that’s all I can say,” he said earlier this year. “The people who said that wish they were up here. No-one else can do this.”
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