PARIS: Robert Lewandowski scored a European qualifying record 16th goal as Poland defeated Montenegro 4-2 on Sunday to reach next year's World Cup, while reigning champions Germany secured a 10th successive win.
Bayern Munich striker Lewandowski struck again in what has been a remarkable qualifying campaign as Poland recovered from throwing away a two-goal lead in Warsaw to secure a first trip to the World Cup finals since 2006.
“I was angry. We were leading 2-0 at home and then let them equalize for 2-all. We had to score that third goal to calm things down,” said Lewandowski, who moved back ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo’s 15-goal tally.
Krzysztof Maczynski and Kamil Grosicki struck early as Poland made a dream start, but Montenegro hit back through goals from Stefan Mugosa and Zarko Tomasevic to pull level with just seven minutes left.
Lewandowski restored Poland’s advantage on 85 minutes before a late own goal from Filip Stojkovic sealed victory, although Denmark’s 1-1 draw at home to Romania ultimately rendered the outcome irrelevant.
“Congratulations to all the players who were able to hold on until the end,” said Poland coach Adam Nawalka. “The players have proved themselves in difficult moments, hence our qualification and it's in very good style.”
The Danes needed to win in Copenhagen while hoping that Montenegro could upset Poland to finish top of Group E, but Ciprian Deac's late equalizer cancelled out a 60th-minute penalty from Christian Eriksen.
However, Denmark are at least assured of a place in next month’s playoffs as one of the eight best runners-up from the nine qualifying groups.
Germany made it 10 wins from 10 in Group C after routing Azerbaijan 5-1 in Kaiserslautern to join Spain as the only nations in history to finish a European World Cup qualifying campaign with a perfect record.
Leon Goretzka’s opening goal was negated by Ramil Sheydaev on 34 minutes, but Sandro Wagner and Antonio Ruediger scored after half-time before Goretzka notched his second and Emre Can completed the victory.
Germany scored a European qualifying record 43 goals on the road to Russia, emulating Spain who achieved perfection in qualifying ahead of their triumph at the 2010 tournament in South Africa.
“It would be a mistake to use this qualifying campaign as a benchmark. Sure it was good, but the World Cup will be a different matter,” said Germany coach Joachim Loew.
“It will be hard to win the World Cup for a second time.”
Northern Ireland slid to a 1-0 defeat to Norway in Oslo after an own goal by Chris Brunt, but Michael O’Neill’s men were already guaranteed a berth in the play-offs after earlier results.
Slovakia face an anxious wait to discover whether they will advance to the two-legged play-offs after finishing second behind England in Group F following a comfortable 3-0 win over Malta.
Adam Nemec grabbed a brace with Ondrej Duda adding a third in Trnava as Slovakia extended Scotland’s 20-year exile from the finals of major tournaments.
Gordon Strachan’s team arrived in Slovenia two points clear of Slovakia going into the final round of matches, but dropped to third after being held to a 2-2 draw in Ljubljana.
Leigh Griffiths stroked the visitors into a first-half lead, but Slovenia equalised and then went ahead as Roman Bezjak netted twice after coming on at the break.
Robert Snodgrass handed Scotland a lifeline with an 87th-minute equaliser, but it wasn’t enough as Scotland finished level on 18 points with Slovakia but behind them on goal difference.
“I have never been in a dressing room as silent as that,” said Strachan, who refused to be drawn on his future as Scotland manager.
“At this moment, I am the last person thinking about that.”
England won 1-0 away to Lithuania to conclude an unbeaten campaign as Harry Kane scored a 27th-minute spot-kick won by Tottenham Hotspur team-mate Dele Alli.
The in-form Kane, whose stoppage-time winner against Slovenia on Thursday secured England’s place in Russia, has now scored nine goals in his last five matches for both club and country.
Poland heads to World Cup, Germany posts perfect 10
Poland heads to World Cup, Germany posts perfect 10
Chances of Alonso staying in Leverkusen ‘50-50’, says CEO
“If a team he has played for comes, we would sit down and discuss it and we wouldn’t stand in his way”
MADRID: Bayer Leverkusen CEO Fernando Carro said Monday the club had a 50-50 chance of holding onto manager Xabi Alonso amid rumored links between the coach and Real Madrid.
Carro also revealed the club had a “gentlemen’s agreement” with Alonso, allowing him to leave to coach one of the clubs he played for as a player for a fee.
Alonso, who played for Real and last year took Leverkusen to an unbeaten league and cup double, has been linked with the top job at the Bernabeu, with current coach Carlo Ancelotti rumored to be headed for the exit.
Speaking ahead of the Laureus Sports Awards, where the club is nominated for breakthrough of the year after their debut Bundesliga win last season, Carro told reporters that “my gut feeling is that it’s 50-50” Alonso would stay.
“Xabi has no exit clause, but we have a gentleman’s agreement. If a team he has played for comes, we would sit down and discuss it and we wouldn’t stand in his way,” he said.
Carro said the club “needs clarity” and “the decision needs to be in the next three or four weeks. We cannot wait until the end of the season.”
“We are not naive, the position of the coach is very important for a club and it is true that we are preparing for next season with him.
“We have worked with him every day; he is fully committed to this preparation.”
After winning the title last season, Leverkusen have fallen back slightly and sit eight points behind league leaders Bayern Munich with four games remaining.
Leverkusen were eliminated from the Champions League by Bayern and were knocked out in the semifinals of the German Cup by third-division Arminia Bielefeld
Despite the drop off, the club is still on track for its second best points total.
Carro also said he believed star midfielder Florian Wirtz, 21, “has a contract until 2027 and I believe he will play for us next year.”
Damac seek to end winless run against Al-Nassr in Saudi Pro League clash
- The last time Damac defeated Al-Nassr was in Matchweek 25 of the 2021 season
RIYADH: Damac will be aiming to end a 1,474-day winless streak against Al-Nassr when the two sides meet on Tuesday in Round 29 of the Saudi Pro League.
The last time Damac defeated Al-Nassr was in Matchweek 25 of the 2021 season, securing a 3-2 victory.
Since then, Al-Nassr have dominated the fixture, with the overall head-to-head record showing eight wins for Al-Nassr, one for Damac, and two draws across 11 meetings.
Al-Nassr have scored 23 goals in those encounters, while Damac have managed nine.
Heading into Tuesday’s match, Al-Nassr sit third in the league standings with 57 points, recording 17 wins, six draws, and five losses this season. Damac are in 11th place with 31 points from eight wins, seven draws, and 13 defeats.
Later in the evening, Al-Ahli will take on Al-Wehda at King Abdulaziz Sports City Stadium in Makkah.
Both teams head into the contest on the back of strong performances. Al-Ahli thrashed Al-Fayha 5-0 in their last outing, while Al-Wehda claimed a valuable three points away at Al-Taawoun.
In their previous 29 league meetings, Al-Ahli have won 15 matches compared to just three victories for Al-Wehda, with 11 draws between them. Al-Ahli have scored 41 goals in those games, while Al-Wehda have netted 19.
Syrian striker Omar Al-Somah, a former Al-Ahli player, is the all-time top scorer in this fixture with 10 goals. The biggest margin between the sides came during the 2020–2021 season, when Al-Ahli secured a 4-2 win. Their most recent meeting was in Round 12 earlier this season, with Al-Ahli edging a 1-0 victory thanks to a goal from Algerian star Riyad Mahrez.
Al-Ahli currently occupy fourth place with 55 points, while Al-Wehda are battling relegation in 15th place with 26 points.
Norwich sack Thorup and name Wilshere as interim coach
- Norwich lost 3-1 at Millwall on Monday
- “Jack Wilshere ... will take charge of the first team on an interim basis ” Norwich said
LONDON: Norwich City have sacked Danish manager Johannes Hoff Thorup following a poor run of results and appointed his assistant and former England midfielder Jack Wilshere as interim coach until the end of the season, the Championship club said on Tuesday.
Norwich lost 3-1 at Millwall on Monday and have slipped to 14th place in the second-tier table with 53 points.
Sporting Director Ben Knapper said: “Whilst we made this appointment with a long-term focus and in line with our wider club strategy and direction, unfortunately recent results and performances have deemed it necessary for us make a change.
“Jack Wilshere ... will take charge of the first team on an interim basis for our two remaining Championship fixtures” Norwich added on their website.
The 33-year-old former Arsenal player Wilshere has been assistant coach at Norwich since October 2024.
‘We never gave up’: Dubai Basketball edge out KK Split in last-minute win
- The 87-82 victory over the Croatian team secured their 11th consecutive victory to take their record to 23-5
DUBAI: Dubai Basketball continues their dream debut season with a last-minute comeback, securing a 87-82 victory over Croatian side Split on Sunday night at Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai.
This secured their 11th consecutive victory, taking their win-loss record to an impressive 23-5. With just one home game remaining before the playoffs, the team has cemented its place as one of the standout teams of the season.
Dubai Basketball delivered a dominant first half, outscoring Split with quick offensive blows and solid defense. Dubai Basketball’s “Latvian Laser” Davis Bertans led the scoring with 25 points, earning the title of the night’s hero after a clinical shooting display.
“Our first half was very, very good,” said head coach, Jurica Golemac, after the match. “We played with intent, we executed well, and we were in control. But then, we thought it was finished, and Split didn’t give up. We gave them the chance and the hope that they could win this game.”
With momentum shifting, Dubai’s rhythm appeared to falter toward the final minutes of the game. “We started to not move the ball,” Golemac said. “We missed a couple of open shots. We played basket to basket, and that’s never good. They got momentum, and they were scoring tough shots — even with good defense.”
Split seized the opportunity with a burst of energy in the second half, clawing back from a 12-point deficit and even taking a narrow lead at one point in the final quarter. Their head coach shared his half-time message, telling his players to “to take control of our lives — (the game) is in our own hands.”
As the game tightened, Golemac made a decisive move, bringing on fan favorite Nemanja Dangubic to help the team from deep in the court. The city’s commanding forward responded immediately.
“In the end, I have to give credit to the players,” Golemac said. “We managed. We never gave up. With defense, we won the game. And with the great help of our fans, they never gave up on us, and they gave us the extra energy when we needed it.”
Reflecting on the team’s recent run of success, Golemac said: “This is the 11th game in a row that we are winning. The last couple of weeks we had easier victories, and I think everyone expected that tonight would be the same — especially after the way the game started. But as I always say, we play for 40 minutes. Not 10, not 12, not even 38. We play for 40.
“It’s hard to stay at a high-level week after week,” he said. “Now we need to analyze what went wrong, look at what we can improve, and get back to work in practice to prepare for the next game.”
The secret history of Formula 1 in Saudi Arabia
- In just 5 years, the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix at Jeddah Corniche Circuit has become a fixture in the racing calendar
JEDDAH: As McLaren’s Oscar Piastri lifted the winner’s trophy on Sunday night, the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix marked a milestone that goes far beyond the checkered flag.
With its fifth edition concluded, Jeddah is now not just another Grand Prix for racing fans; it is the world’s fastest and second-longest street circuit in Formula 1 history.
In just five years, the Kingdom has turned its coastal circuit into one of the most talked-about stops on the Formula 1 calendar.
This anniversary is not just a celebration of fast cars and thrilling races, but also a testament to the Kingdom’s pursuit of global sports recognition.
As the roar of engines faded into silence and the grandstands emptied, the importance of this race in the Kingdom’s sporting history is just beginning to sink in.
Few know the backstory and how a series of off-track moves, quiet negotiations, and long-term ambitions brought the sport onto Saudi Arabia’s soil.
Before the first engine revved up in 2021, the wheels had already been set in motion.
Secret push behind the Grand Prix
Long before the first roar of Formula 1 cars echoed along Jeddah’s Red Sea coast, the idea of bringing the world’s fastest sport to Saudi Arabia was quietly gaining traction in various boardrooms in Riyadh.
It was not just about motorsport, it was a calculated move tied to Vision 2030: to diversify the Kingdom’s economy, elevate its global image, and position Saudi Arabia as a serious player in international sports.
The deal was not public at first. Whispers began to be heard in early 2018, shortly after Saudi Arabia secured rights to host the all-electric Formula E in Diriyah.
That event was seen as a trial, a soft launch into global motorsport. Behind the scenes, the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation and the Ministry of Sport began mapping a larger ambition: securing Formula 1.
The official announcement came in November 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, a bold move that stunned even some insiders in the racing world.
Critics questioned the timing, but for the Kingdom, this was the perfect moment.
Strategic move to choose Jeddah
The decision to host the race in Jeddah — and not the capital — raised eyebrows. But the logic was simple. Jeddah, a historical port, was undergoing a visual transformation.
Placing the circuit along the Corniche, with the glinting Red Sea as a backdrop, created a visual spectacle few other Formula 1 circuits could match.
But there was more at play. Jeddah is Saudi Arabia’s beating commercial heart, a cosmopolitan city and symbol of the new Saudi Arabia identity.
The Kingdom was not just launching a race, it was rebranding itself to the world, and Jeddah became the face of that campaign.
And then came the design: the fastest street circuit in Formula 1 history.
Designed by Carsten Tilke, son of renowned circuit designer Hermann Tilke, Jeddah featured 27 turns and blisteringly high-speed straights, challenging drivers in ways no other urban race ever had.
5 years of speed, stats, surprises, standout moments
Since its debut in December 2021, the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix has carved out its own identity.
Fastest street race: It is one of the quickest on the calendar, with cars averaging over 250 kph. In 2021, Lewis Hamilton clocked the fastest average qualifying lap on the circuit.
Second-longest: At 6,174 km, it is one of the longest circuits in the world.
Most turns at 27: Most Grand Prix tracks have 14 to 20, but Jeddah has 27 corners, with sweeping bends and blind apexes, making it technically demanding.
Built in under eight months: It was designed and constructed in less than a year, an incredible feat for a Grade 1 FIA-approved circuit. Over 30,000 tons of asphalt, 600,000 work hours, and thousands of workers were involved.
Historic debuts: The 2021 race was the first Grand Prix in Saudi Arabia, marking the Kingdom as the 34th country to host a Formula 1 contest.
Dramatic finishes: From the Max Verstappen-Hamilton showdown in 2021 to chaotic safety-car dramas and nail-biting late-race restarts, Jeddah’s circuit never delivered a dull contest.
Global spotlight: Over 140,000 fans attended the race weekend in 2023, with millions more watching worldwide.
But perhaps the most surprising statistic is that it has become one of the top-five most-watched races globally, according to F1 media tracking.
Looking ahead, the futuristic Qiddiya circuit is on the horizon. The new entertainment and tourism city is set to become home to one of the most advanced motorsport facilities in the region.
It is a project promising to blend adrenaline, innovation, and entertainment in a way the sport has never seen before.
