ADELAIDE: Eugenie Le Sommer scored twice as France eased to a 4-0 win over Morocco at the Women’s World Cup on Tuesday and set up a quarter-final with co-hosts Australia.
Morocco had upset the odds to qualify for the last 16 at the expense of Germany in their debut appearance at the tournament but they never managed to lay a glove on Herve Renard’s French side in Adelaide.
Kadidiatou Diani opened the scoring on the quarter-hour mark and it was 3-0 just after the midway point in the first half as Kenza Dali and Le Sommer added further goals.
Veteran striker Le Sommer, who is France’s all-time top scorer, netted again 20 minutes from time before a crowd of 13,557 as Les Bleues advanced to the last eight with a minimum of fuss.
They will now play Australia in Brisbane on Saturday, with the winners of that going on to play either England or Colombia in the semifinals.
While France are desperate to win a first major women’s international title, Morocco came into this game with the pressure off, their World Cup already a huge success.
Their coach, the former French international midfielder Reynald Pedros, named an unchanged starting line-up following the 1-0 win over Colombia that sealed their place in the knockout phase.
Renard made five changes from the France side that beat Panama 6-3, including recalling Sakina Karchaoui at left-back.
Karchaoui, whose parents are Moroccan, set up the opener with a great run down the left flank, a quick exchange of passes with Selma Bacha, and a cross for Diani to nod in.
It was Diani’s fourth goal at the tournament after her hat-trick against Panama in the final group game.
The second goal arrived in the 20th minute as Diani cut the ball back for Dali to sweep home a first-time finish in off the far post.
And it was 3-0 three minutes after that following a defensive error, with Nesryne El Chad trying to clear but only succeeding in playing the ball off Diani, who set up Le Sommer.
At that point Morocco might have feared an even heavier defeat than the 6-0 hammering they received from Germany in their first game.
However, France took their foot off the pedal after that and only scored once more.
In the 70th minute substitute Vicki Becho crossed from the right for Le Sommer to head in her 92nd international goal at the back post.
France ease past Morocco to set up Australia World Cup clash
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France ease past Morocco to set up Australia World Cup clash
- Kadidiatou Diani opened the scoring on the quarter-hour mark and it was 3-0 just after the midway point in the first half as Kenza Dali and Eugenie Le Sommer added further goals
- Veteran striker Le Sommer, who is France’s all-time top scorer, netted again 20 minutes from time before a crowd of 13,557 as Les Bleues advanced to the last eight with a minimum of fuss
UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation looks ahead to national campaigns after a successful season
- The UAE national team will take part in the Jiu-Jitsu World Championship in Greece this month
ABU DHABI: This year’s successes in local, national and international championships came under the spotlight at a UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation board meeting on Thursday.
The directors also focused on the achievements of the Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Championship and looked ahead to future competitions, including the Jiu-Jitsu World Championship taking place in Greece this month.
The meeting, held at the Federation’s headquarters, was chaired by Abdulmunem Alsayed Mohammed Al-Hashmi, chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, president of the Jiu-Jitsu Asian Union, and senior vice president of the International Jiu-Jitsu Federation.
He said: “The support of our wise leadership is the key to the success of jiu-jitsu locally and internationally. It has helped position the UAE as a global leader in the sport and achieve significant accomplishments at both the continental and international levels.”
Discussions focused on an intensive training camp which aims to boost the athletes’ technical and physical readiness for the world championship, helping them build on a legacy of four consecutive world titles.
The board also reviewed the current season, which has seen significant local and international participation in various events that are key to expanding the number of jiu-jitsu participants, creating community engagement and promoting a healthy lifestyle.
A comprehensive report on the Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship highlighted the success of the event, particularly the increase in numbers of those taking part. So far, the four rounds have attracted 7,700 male and female athletes from 60 clubs and academies across the UAE, testament to the Federation’s strategy to broaden the sport’s reach and raise awareness of its physical and mental benefits.
The report also noted the strong public turnout, with over 10,000 spectators attending. Their support has enhanced the competitive atmosphere and motivated athletes. The championship has uncovered new talent, elevated the standard of competition, boosted public interest, and provided a highly competitive environment in line with international standards.
The fifth and final round of the Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship will take place in December at Mubadala Arena in Abu Dhabi.
The meeting also touched upon final preparations for the 16th edition of the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship, set to take place in November.
Mohamed Salem Al-Dhaheri, vice chairman of the Federation and chairman of the championship’s organizing committee, said: “Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship continues to establish itself as the top international jiu-jitsu event, drawing elite athletes from around the world. This edition marks a key moment, especially in terms of global participation further strengthening Abu Dhabi’s position as the world’s jiu-jitsu capital.
“We are focused on maintaining the high standards of the world’s largest jiu-jitsu championship, ensuring top-level organization and creating the best experience for both participants and fans.”
The board also discussed the agenda for the 2025 season, with a focus on diversifying events to support sustainable development and growth in the sport. Plans were outlined to expand the scope of competitions to include additional age groups and attract elite athletes from around the world.
South Africa reach final and end Australia’s title defense at Women’s T20 World Cup
- Anneke Bosch led the way with 74 not out off 48 balls, including eight fours and a six, as the Proteas finished with 135-2 in 17.2 overs
- Having beaten Australia for the first time in this tournament’s history, South Africa now await the winner of the second semifinal between West Indies and New Zealand in Sharjah on Friday
DUBAI: South Africa stunned defending champions Australia in the first semifinal of the Women’s T20 World Cup on Thursday, winning by eight wickets to reach their second straight final.
In a reversal from the 2023 final at Cape Town, South Africa chased down Australia’s 134-5 with 16 balls to spare. Six-time champions Australia had won three straight titles.
Anneke Bosch led the way with 74 not out off 48 balls, including eight fours and a six, as the Proteas finished with 135-2 in 17.2 overs.
She had support from skipper Laura Wolvaardt, who set the early pace with three fours and a six in scoring 42 off 37 balls.
Having beaten Australia for the first time in this tournament’s history, South Africa now await the winner of the second semifinal between West Indies and New Zealand in Sharjah on Friday.
The final will be played in Dubai on Sunday.
It ended Australia’s 15-match winning run in the tournament. Since 2009, it is only the second time in nine Women’s T20 World Cups that the six-time champions failed to make the final.
“It’s gonna be pretty hard to take. We just didn’t really show up tonight, and can’t afford to do that in tournaments like this,” Australia’s stand-in captain Tahlia McGrath said.
McGrath was skipper in the place of Australia’s star player and regular captain, Alyssa Healy, who suffered a foot injury earlier in the tournament.
South Africa had opted to bowl and made two vital early breakthroughs.
Opener Grace Harris was out caught for three off Ayabonga Khaka, while Georgia Wareham was caught off Marizanne Kapp for five runs.
Australia was down to 18-2 in the third over, but rescued by a 50-run partnership between Beth Mooney and McGrath.
Mooney top-scored with 44 off 42 balls, hitting two fours, and looked set to shepherd the innings to a competitive total.
Left-arm spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba got the breakthrough — she dismissed McGrath in the 13th over for 27 off 33 balls.
The turning point came in the 17th over — Kapp ran out Mooney. Ellyze Perry scored 31 off 23 balls to take them past 100. But Australia failed to gather sufficient momentum in the final overs.
Annabel Sutherland provided the early wicket in the chase — she bowled Tazmin Brits for 15.
But Wolvaardt and Bosch seized initiative to put on 96 off 65 balls for the second wicket — South Africa’s highest partnership for any wicket against Australia in T20s.
Bosch brought up her 50 off 31 balls, and went on to score the tournament’s highest individual score.
Sutherland did get the breakthrough in the 15th over, but it was too little too late for the outgoing champions, who were thoroughly outplayed on the night.
Bosch was named player of the match for her unbeaten knock.
“My heart is racing. It was tough out there and I am just glad we got past the finish line. We knew we are capable and had a good tournament coming into this game. To restrict them under 140 tonight was outstanding,” she said.
Chelsea, Lyon and Roma stay perfect with victories in Women’s Champions League
- Lyon defender Wendie Renard stole the show as her header found the back of the net early on in her 118th game in the competition
- Chelsea struck early in another winning performance under new coach Sonia Bompastor, who joined from Lyon
LONDON: Chelsea, Lyon and Roma all stayed perfect in the Women’s Champions League by cruising to away victories on Thursday.
Roma routed Galatasaray at Istanbul 6-1, Chelsea beat Twente in the Netherlands 3-1 and eight-time champion Lyon won 2-0 at Wolfsburg.
Real Madrid claimed their first victory of the campaign by easing past Celtic 4-0.
Roma and Lyon both have six points in Group A. Two-time champions Wolfsburg and Galatasaray, the first Turkish team to reach the group stage, have no points.
In Group B, Chelsea lead with six points, with Madrid and Twente on three and Celtic last bottom without a point.
Renard strikes on Popp’s day
Wolfsburg striker Alexandra Popp made her 100th competition appearance — becoming only the second player to reach the mark but it was Lyon defender Wendie Renard, the only one who has played more, who stole the show.
Renard’s header found the back of the net early on in her 118th game in the competition.
US international Lindsey Horan netted from the penalty spot in the second half.
Lyon are the competition’s record eight-time champion but last won the trophy in 2022. It was runner-up last season to Barcelona.
Roma rout
In a matchup between the Italian and Turkish champions, Roma dominated in Istanbul.
Summer signing Hawa Cissoko scored in the seventh minute to mark her debut game in the competition. The France defender who transferred from West Ham headed home off Manuela Giugliano’s corner.
Valentina Giacinti made it 2-0 in the 24th minute when she was left unmarked near the spot to head in Verena Hanshaw’s cross.
Giugliano failed to convert from the spot in the first-half stoppage time but Emilie Haavi got Roma’s third with a right-footed blast past goalkeeper Gamze Yaman early in the second.
Giugliano finally found the back of the net from close range for a 4-0 lead before Andrea Staskova scored the consolation goal for the hosts. Roma substitutes Marta Pandini and Alice Corelli also scored.
Blues win again under Bompastor
Chelsea struck early in another winning performance under new coach Sonia Bompastor, who joined from Lyon.
Agnes Beever-Jones put the Blues ahead with a long-distance deflected strike in the seventh minute and Maika Hamano made it 2-0 a short time later by lifting the ball over goalkeeper Olivia Clark from outside the area.
Substitute Guro Reiten added the third in the second from the spot just past the hour mark.
On Saturday, Chelsea beat city rival Arsenal 2-1 in the Women’s Super League.
Real Madrid bounce back
Real Madrid scored three second-half goals in 11 minutes against Celtic in Group B.
The Spanish team had lost to Chelsea 3-2 in the first round and drew with Atlético 1-1 in the Madrid derby over the weekend.
Caroline Weir fired a long-range left-footer from outside the box into the far top corner in the seventh minute.
The visitors kept if close until the 72nd minute, when Signe Bruun headed home the second goal followed eight minutes later by Caroline Moller’s lob of goalkeeper Kelsey Daugherty for a 3-0 lead. Linda Caicedo then converted from the penalty spot.
It’s back-to-back losses for Scottish club Celtic, making their debut in the group stage. They have yet to score.
Inter Miami star Lionel Messi bags inaugural MARCA America award
- The award recognizes Messi’s championship-laden career — one with a record 46 trophies won for club or country, and at least 56 other awards on the individual level
- For Messi, no title outshines the 2022 World Cup with Argentina that helped cement his legacy among the sport’s greatest players
FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida: Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi added another award to his collection on Thursday.
Messi became the first recipient of the MARCA America Award, presented by the Spain-based media company. The award recognizes Messi’s championship-laden career — one with a record 46 trophies won for club or country, and at least 56 other awards on the individual level.
“It has been quite the journey,” the Argentine superstar said in Spanish during a moderated question-and-answer session at Chase Stadium, Inter Miami’s home field. “We have experienced so many beautiful things but also complicated moments. In 20 years not everything is beautiful. You cannot win all the time.”
For Messi, no title outshines the 2022 World Cup with Argentina that helped cement his legacy among the sport’s greatest players. However, the 37-year-old Messi has won plenty and still feels the drive to continue adding titles. Similar to his titles with Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, Messi already has helped Inter Miami win hardware since he joined the MLS club in July 2023.
Although limited to 18 MLS matches this season because of an ankle injury and national team commitments, Messi has 17 goals and 15 assists to help lead Miami to the 2024 Supporters Shield. Miami will have home-field advantage throughout the MLS Cup playoffs which begin next week.
“I was able to achieve the biggest prize, which is the World Cup,” said Messi, who had three goals and two assists in a 6-0 Argentina romp past Bolivia in a World Cup qualifier on Tuesday. “It is the trophy all of us want when we start playing and I managed to fulfill my dream. We won many titles in Barcelona, Paris. Now we are here with the objective to fight hard for another title.”
Messi’s contract with Inter Miami runs through next season. And, after his recent goal-scoring performance on Tuesday, Messi could remain energized in his commitments with Argentina through the next World Cup cycle.
“I still have a deep love for this sport and I will continue to aspire to win more titles,” Messi said. “At this level, you have to enjoy things day by day.”
Inter Miami has one regular-season match left, coming at home Saturday against New England. If Inter Miami win it would set the MLS single-season points mark with 72, one more than New England had in 2021.
World No. 1 Jannik Sinner defeats Novak Djokovic in hard-fought Six Kings Slam match
- Djokovic was unable to match Sinner’s energy and precision in the opening set.
RIYADH: World No. 1 Jannik Sinner secured a significant victory over Novak Djokovic on the second day of the Six Kings Slam in Riyadh, triumphing 6-2, 6-7, 6-4.
The closely contested match saw Sinner’s powerful play ultimately overwhelm the 24-time Grand Slam champion, who put up a determined fight despite visible physical setbacks.
Sinner took command early, cruising through the first set 6-2 as Djokovic struggled to keep up with the pace of the young Italian. The 36-year-old Serbian, known for his incredible resilience, found himself outplayed by Sinner’s aggressive baseline game and sharp groundstrokes.
Despite flashes of brilliance, Djokovic was unable to match Sinner’s energy and precision in the opening set.
However, Djokovic had promised earlier that he wasn’t ready to step aside for the younger generation just yet, saying, "I still believe I can compete at the highest level."
He made good on his words in the second set, digging deep to keep pace with the world’s top-ranked player. The crowd was treated to a thrilling back-and-forth as the two athletes exchanged games, tying at 2-2, 4-4, and ultimately forcing a tiebreak at 6-6. Djokovic, displaying the grit that has defined his career, surged to a 7-6 tiebreak win, leveling the match.
As the third set began, Djokovic called for medical attention for his shoulder, an injury that has troubled him throughout the year. The physical toll of the long season and his ongoing shoulder issues were evident in his serves, but he pressed on, determined to give Sinner a challenge.
With both players having a set in hand, the match remained tight, with Djokovic holding strong at 4-4.
Despite his determination, Djokovic, who has seen many of his contemporaries retire in recent years, was ultimately worn down by Sinner’s relentless play.
The Italian’s consistent pressure and powerful returns broke Djokovic’s serve late in the third set, allowing him to close out the match 6-4.
Djokovic’s effort highlighted his continued competitiveness, even as he battles injuries and the inevitable effects of age. His ability to push the world’s top-ranked player to three sets serves as a reminder of his enduring legacy. But the victory was Sinner’s, further cementing his place at the top of the sport and signaling a new era in tennis.
As the Six Kings Slam continues, all eyes will be on Sinner as he looks to build on this momentum, while Djokovic’s future remains a question as he navigates the physical demands of an increasingly younger field.
