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
Ademola Lookman’s masterclass seals win for Atalanta against Fiorentina
Ademola Lookman’s masterclass seals win for Atalanta against Fiorentina
Nigerian international Ademola Lookman was the star of the show on Sunday, delivering a match-winning performance as Atalanta secured a dramatic 3-2 victory over Fiorentina in an explosive Serie A encounter at the Gewiss Stadium.
Lookman not only scored the decisive goal but also provided a crucial assist that helped Atalanta draw level earlier in the match.
Fiorentina took the lead early in the game, but Lookman’s magic inspired Atalanta’s comeback.
The visitors opened the scoring in the 15th minute when Lucas Martinez Quarta capitalized on a rebound, rifling the ball into the back of the net from close range.
Atalanta, however, responded quickly. In the 21st minute, Lookman sent a superb cross into the box, and Mateo Retegui connected with a powerful header that left Fiorentina goalkeeper David de Gea with no chance, leveling the score at 1-1.
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Fiorentina regained the lead in the 32nd minute when Moise Kean tapped home after Robin Gosens headed the ball across the goal. Moments later, Kean came close to adding a third but saw his effort hit the post.
Atalanta fought back once again, and just before halftime, Charles De Ketelaere’s deft header from an Ederson free kick made it 2-2.
The momentum had shifted, and it didn’t take long for Lookman to showcase his individual brilliance. In first-half stoppage time, he embarked on a solo run, weaving through the Fiorentina defence before slotting the ball into the bottom left corner to give Atalanta a 3-2 lead.
Lookman nearly extended his tally in the second half, coming close to scoring on several occasions, including a narrow miss in the 49th minute.
Despite Fiorentina’s pressure, Atalanta held on for a crucial victory, with goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi also making a number of key saves to secure the win.
Ademola Lookman’s masterclass seals win for Atalanta against Fiorentina
Sports
AfroBasket: Junior D’Tigress fall to record champions in final
AfroBasket: Junior D’Tigress fall to record champions in final
The U-18 national women’s basketball team, the Junior D’Tigress, failed to win the FIBA U18 Women’s AfroBasket 2024 final on Saturday.
The team lost 56-76 to Mali that clinched a record ninth title.
A report by Premium Times notes that despite a strong start with a 5-0 run, the Nigerians struggled to keep up with the dominant Malian side.
Mali won all four quarters, taking the first 11-8, the second 18-15, the third 24-19, and the fourth quarter with a commanding 23-14.
The Malians excelled in the paint, outscoring Nigeria 30-16, and capitalised on fast breaks, adding 15 points. Nigeria’s bench was more productive, contributing 24 points compared to Mali’s 12.
Mali’s 17-year-old Oummou Koumare was named FIBA U18 Women’s AfroBasket’s Most Valuable Player.
Nigerian guard Idubamo Beggi earned a spot in the All-Star team of the tournament.
She scored 23 points in the opening loss to Egypt and the semifinal victory over Uganda, although the Malians held her to 14 points in the final.
Beggi also contributed 32 assists and 17 rebounds throughout the tournament in South Africa.
Sports
Haaland denied hat-trick history in Man City 2-1 victory
Haaland denied hat-trick history in Man City 2-1 victory
Erling Haaland’s double sent Manchester City three points clear at the top of the Premier League in a 2-1 win over Brentford.
City took full advantage of Liverpool’s defeat to move clear at the top by stretching their 100 per cent record to four games despite a disastrous start.
However, Haaland’s form at the start of the season remains unstoppable, even if the Norwegian just missed out on a record third consecutive hat-trick in the Premier League.
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The 24-year-old’s powerful deflected effort brought City level before he showed a combination of strength and skill to shrug off Ethan Pinnock and dink the ball over the onrushing Mark Flekken.
Only the post denied Haaland another hat-trick after half-time but he now has a Premier League record nine goals in the first four games of the season.
“He’s just an absolute machine in front of goal and I can’t speak highly enough of him,” said City’s Jack Grealish of Haaland, who had been doubtful due to the death this week of a close family friend.
“It does speak volumes about him as a person and his mental strength.”
Haaland denied hat-trick history in Man City 2-1 victory
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