Sports
Rodrygo scores as Brazil beat Ecuador in World Cup qualifier
Rodrygo scores as Brazil beat Ecuador in World Cup qualifier
Brazil got back to winning ways in the South American World Cup qualifiers with a drab 1-0 victory over Ecuador on Friday thanks to first-half goal by Real Madrid forward Rodrygo.
After its first streak of losses in three successive qualifiers, Brazil did just enough to earn the win that lifted the struggling five-time World Cup champions to fourth in the standings with 10 points.
They are eight points behind leaders Argentina and only two points over Ecuador in sixth, the last spot guaranteed a berth at the 2026 finals.
Playing their first match after a disappointing Copa America defeat to Uruguay in the quarter-final, Brazil had another lacklustre performance, dominating possession but failing to create clear chances throughout the match.
Brazil misplaced too many passes and struggled to connect up front, out of ideas on how to beat Ecuador’s rock solid defensive block.
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Ecuador were relentless while applying a physically aggressive pressure high with three hardworking forwards, making the locals uncomfortable when putting the ball in play. They Brazil almost no room to get inside their box either, forcing them to roam the ball horizontally around their penalty area and resort to strikes from long range.
Brazil’s only two shots on target on the first half were made by Rodrygo, who, after stinging the goalkeeper’s hands from a free kick early, were lucky to break the deadlock in the 29th minute. His effort fired from the edge of the box deflected off a defender and arched around the wrong-footed goalkeeper before hitting the right post and finding the back of the net.
Ecuador almost levelled in a counterattack right before the break, but defender Gabriel Magalhaes denied Moises Caicedo’s effort with a last-minute goal-line clearance.
Brazil came back even worse in the second half, with an uninspired Vinicius Jr creating their only shot on target in an absolutely morose 45 minutes, with boos greeting the final whistle.
“We needed this win, doesn’t matter if it was ugly or not. I’m happy with the victory and to have scored, and I hope it helps us getting better and progressing to the level that we want to reach moving forward,” Rodrygo told Brazilian TV Globo.
Rodrygo scores as Brazil beat Ecuador in World Cup qualifier
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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