AUS

Robinson says upcoming Tests 'massive' for Feyi-Waboso's Lions' hopes

BY JULIAN GUYER

  • England and Lions hero Robinson, an outstanding wing in his own right, said Feyi-Waboso had the qualities needed to make an impact during next year's series in Australia. 
  • Jason Robinson believes Immanuel Feyi-Waboso can star for the 2025 British and Irish Lions in Australia, even though the next fortnight will be "massive" for the fledgling England wing's hopes of making the combined team's squad.
  • England and Lions hero Robinson, an outstanding wing in his own right, said Feyi-Waboso had the qualities needed to make an impact during next year's series in Australia. 
Jason Robinson believes Immanuel Feyi-Waboso can star for the 2025 British and Irish Lions in Australia, even though the next fortnight will be "massive" for the fledgling England wing's hopes of making the combined team's squad.
Feyi-Waboso only made his Test debut in this year's Six Nations, with his international credentials set to be tested again during England's match with Australia at Twickenham on Saturday and next week's clash against world champions South Africa.
The 21-year-old has made an impressive start to his England career, with five tries in seven Tests -- including three in consecutive matches against New Zealand, with Feyi-Waboso crossing the line in last week's agonising 24-22 loss at home to the All Blacks.
England and Lions hero Robinson, an outstanding wing in his own right, said Feyi-Waboso had the qualities needed to make an impact during next year's series in Australia. 
"Manny's not got the experience of a lot of players in his position but we've seen that for England and Exeter he is a game changer," Robinson told reporters in London on Wednesday.
"He's certainly one of those who could make an impact down in Australia. The way he finished off that try against the All Blacks on Saturday, not many players are able to do that. He's young and he's hungry. He's really enjoying being there."
The diminutive Feyi-Waboso is a wing in the Robinson mould, with the 50-year-old World Cup winner, speaking at the launch of the 2025 Lions kit by Canterbury, saying: "When he gets the ball, even if he doesn't have space, he's making metres. 
"Every time he plays he's up there with metres gained. He's strong and gets over the gain-line. His footwork and overall speed are gifts."
Robinson added: "The next two weeks are massive for him, from an England perspective but also from his own perspective, because Australia and then South Africa will be a real test to see where he is on the international stage."
Australia are currently in a slump, having lost five of their six matches in this year's southern hemisphere Rugby Championship under former Ireland coach Joe Schmidt, who took charge after Eddie Jones oversaw a woeful 2023 World Cup campaign where the Wallabies crashed out in the pool stage.
Schmidt has just a handful of games to turn round Australia's fortunes before the first Test against the Lions in July.
But Robinson, a star of the 2001 Lions tour of Australia, said: "Having played Australia over the years, as a rugby league and union player, I know they are proud nation. 
"Sometimes when you write a team off it gives them even more motivation to prove those critics wrong.
"I think they'll be a lot better than many people are giving them credit for. I think it will be really competitive."
jdg/dmc

employment

Man City told to pay majority of Mendy's unpaid wages

  • The 30-year-old defender, who now plays for French Ligue 2 club Lorient, was found not guilty of six counts of rape and one count of sexual assault in January 2023, but the same jury could not reach a verdict on another count of rape and one count of attempted rape.
  • Former Manchester City footballer Benjamin Mendy should be paid the majority of the £11.5 million ($15 million) in wages withheld by the club after he was charged with rape and sexual assault in 2021, a ruling by a UK judge said on Wednesday.
  • The 30-year-old defender, who now plays for French Ligue 2 club Lorient, was found not guilty of six counts of rape and one count of sexual assault in January 2023, but the same jury could not reach a verdict on another count of rape and one count of attempted rape.
Former Manchester City footballer Benjamin Mendy should be paid the majority of the £11.5 million ($15 million) in wages withheld by the club after he was charged with rape and sexual assault in 2021, a ruling by a UK judge said on Wednesday.
The ex-French international, who had earned £500,000 a month at the English Premier League Champions, took his case to an employment tribunal last month.
Mendy claimed he had been assured by a senior club official he would receive his unpaid wages once he had been cleared of the charges. 
The 30-year-old defender, who now plays for French Ligue 2 club Lorient, was found not guilty of six counts of rape and one count of sexual assault in January 2023, but the same jury could not reach a verdict on another count of rape and one count of attempted rape.
After a retrial, Mendy was found not guilty of both charges.
Employment judge Joanne Dunlop said in a ruling she had concluded that Mendy was "entitled to recover some, but not all of the sums claimed".
She said that while Mendy was not in custody, he had been "ready and willing" to work.
In those circumstances and in the absence of "any authorisation in the contract for the employer to withhold pay he was entitled to be paid", she added.
Welcoming the ruling, Mendy said he was "delighted".
He said he hoped the "club will now do the honourable thing and pay the outstanding amounts... so I can put this difficult part of my life behind me".
Mendy spent two periods in custody, which accounted for approximately five months of the 22-month period covered by his claim, meaning the amount owed is likely to be around £8.5 million.
According to tribunal documents Mendy "very quickly ran out of money" due to the non-payment of his wages, forcing him to sell his £4.8-million mansion to cover legal fees, bills and child support payments.
The exact amount he will now receive is due to be calculated by Mendy and the club -- or by the tribunal if they are unable to reach an agreement.
The club continued paying Mendy's salary following his first arrest in November 2020.
But they argued they did not have to after he was charged because of his bail conditions and a Football Association suspension meant he was not able to perform his duties as a player.
har/phz/lp

EPGA

McIlroy hopes Trump election victory helps end golf rift

  • Media reports this week suggested that the Public Investment Fund (PIF), the sovereign wealth fund of Saudi Arabia and backers of LIV Golf, had reached an agreement with the PGA Tour to invest over a billion dollars in the newly formed PGA Tour Enterprise.
  • Rory McIlroy feels that with Donald Trump sweeping the US presidential elections, a resolution in the PGA Tour-LIV Golf stand-off might be in sight.
  • Media reports this week suggested that the Public Investment Fund (PIF), the sovereign wealth fund of Saudi Arabia and backers of LIV Golf, had reached an agreement with the PGA Tour to invest over a billion dollars in the newly formed PGA Tour Enterprise.
Rory McIlroy feels that with Donald Trump sweeping the US presidential elections, a resolution in the PGA Tour-LIV Golf stand-off might be in sight.
Media reports this week suggested that the Public Investment Fund (PIF), the sovereign wealth fund of Saudi Arabia and backers of LIV Golf, had reached an agreement with the PGA Tour to invest over a billion dollars in the newly formed PGA Tour Enterprise.
The world number three, who is playing this week's Abu Dhabi Championship, resigned from the PGA Tour policy board in November last year.
An attempt to return to the board was blocked by some players, but McIlroy was named to a players committee in May to be involved in the negotiations with the PIF.
PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan reportedly met with PIF chief Yasir Al-Rumayyan in Riyadh last week, leading to speculation about the deal's finalisation.
McIlroy was adamant this was not the case and that he had yet to hear about it from Monahan.
"It's the first that I've heard of it. I know Jay was in Saudi Arabia last week and was having some meetings. But no, I think I would have heard if there was," said McIlroy, who was outspoken about LIV Golf in its early months but has advocated accepting PIF's investment from the end of last year.
"I know he's briefing the transaction committee tonight. So maybe some news comes out of that. But as far as I'm aware, I haven't heard a thing."
When asked if he'd be surprised a decision was reached this soon, McIlroy said: "I would. But then, obviously, given today's news with what's happened in America, I think that clears the way a little bit. So we'll see."
McIlroy also said he thought Trump's relationship with Tesla boss Elon Musk could help get a deal over the line.
"He's got Elon Musk, who I think is the smartest man in the world, beside him," added McIlroy. "We might be able to do something if we can get Musk involved, too...
"It's probably a little less complicated than it actually is.
"But obviously Trump has a great relationship with Saudi Arabia. He's got a great relationship with golf. He's a lover of golf. So, maybe. Who knows?"

McIlroy closing on Race to Dubai title

McIlroy is currently leading the European Tour's Race to Dubai standings, more than 1,500 points ahead of second-placed Thriston Lawrence of South Africa.
A win in Abu Dhabi would secure a sixth Order of Merit crown for the 35-year-old, matching the achievement of the legendary Spaniard Seve Ballesteros, before next week's Tour Championship.
Only Scotland's Colin Montgomerie (eight) has won more than Ballesteros.
"Trying to go for six overall, it's a pretty meaningful thing to do," said McIlroy.
"Trying to get to Monty's number of eight, or maybe surpass, is definitely a goal in the future. But right now, just have focus on trying to get that sixth one and go from here.
"I am a European player and I would like to go down as the most successful European of all time. Obviously, Race to Dubai wins would count to that, but also major championships and hopefully, I've got a few more Ryder Cups ahead of me as well.
"I think it is a goal that's quite attainable over the next 10 years."
Among those trying to stop McIlroy this week include Tommy Fleetwood, Shane Lowry, Justin Rose, Billy Horschel, Adam Scott and Robert MacIntyre, as well as LIV Golf stars Joaquin Niemann and Tyrrell Hatton.
str/jc/lp

Pr

What's going wrong at Man City?

BY JOHN WEAVER

  • Manchester City have dominated English football for the bulk of the past decade, breaking record after record under Guardiola.
  • Pep Guardiola finds himself in unusual territory as he tries to work out how to turn things around at Manchester City after a surprise slump following eight years of almost unbroken success.
  • Manchester City have dominated English football for the bulk of the past decade, breaking record after record under Guardiola.
Pep Guardiola finds himself in unusual territory as he tries to work out how to turn things around at Manchester City after a surprise slump following eight years of almost unbroken success.
City's 4-1 defeat to Sporting Lisbon on Tuesday was a third straight loss for the English champions -- the first time that has happened since 2018.
Midfielder Bernardo Silva said the side were in a "dark place" after the defeats against Tottenham, Bournemouth and Sporting in three different competitions.
But Guardiola had a more optimistic outlook, pledging to "fight and not give up".
AFP Sport looks at some of the reasons for City's recent struggles after a strong start to the season.
Injury crisis
When Guardiola confirmed in late September that Spain midfielder Rodri would miss the rest of the campaign with an anterior cruciate ligament injury, it felt potentially seismic.
City's squad is packed with talent but Rodri is the man who makes them tick -- he is on a personal unbeaten run spanning 52 Premier League fixtures.
Last month the 28-year-old won the men's Ballon d'Or award in recognition of his achievements with City and Spain.
Guardiola has also been without a clutch of other stars this season.
Kevin De Bruyne returned as a late substitute against Lisbon -- his first appearance since mid-September.
Oscar Bobb, Ruben Dias, Jack Grealish and John  Stones did not travel to Portugal, while other players have also been struggling with injury, including Kyle Walker and Nathan Ake.
Silva said before City's match in Portugal that they would "never find excuses" but even a club with their vast resources do not have ready replacements for players of the quality of Rodri and De Bruyne.
Lack of hunger?
Manchester City have dominated English football for the bulk of the past decade, breaking record after record under Guardiola.
They became just the second club to win the Treble of Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup in 2023 and last season became the first club in history to win four straight English top-flight titles.
Guardiola's hunger for success appears undiminished and he has transferred that desire to his players, winning the Premier League in six of his eight full seasons at the Etihad.
The Catalan said in August that he and his players go into each campaign driven by a desire to get even better despite their remarkable success.
"Always you can improve, always you have the desire to individually be better," he said. "I want to be a better manager, and the players want to be better individually."
It is easy to exaggerate City's crisis -- they are second in the Premier League and well-placed in the Champions League despite Tuesday's defeat.
But any slight drop-off in motivation can prove fatal in the ultra-competitive world of the Premier League.
Before Guardiola, only Alex Ferguson, at Manchester United, and Jose Mourinho, at Chelsea, had managed to retain the Premier League title.
Off-field issues
Are off-field distractions having an impact at City?
Guardiola's contract expires at the end of this season and there has long been speculation over whether he will sign a new deal.
Recent reports suggest the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss, 53, is likely stay at the Etihad, for another year at least, which would lengthen his reign to a remarkable 10 years.
Another off-field issue with huge potential ramifications is the ongoing hearing into more than 100 alleged breaches of the Premier League's financial regulations between 2009 and 2018.
City deny any wrongdoing and have said they have a "comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence" to clear their name.
But if they are found guilty, they could face a range of punishments including a severe points penalty or even expulsion from the Premier League.
The hearing started in mid-September but the verdict of the independent commission is not likely to come before 2025.
Guardiola has been bullish in his defence of City, referring to his deep bond with the club, but he must be desperate to shed the unwanted distractions.
jw/dmc

Sports

Madrid heading for crisis with Kroos gone and Mbappe floundering

  • With Barcelona nine points clear at the top of La Liga and Madrid losing two of their opening Champions League fixtures, Ancelotti is coming under heavy scrutiny and does not seem to have the answers he needs.
  • Just six months on from their Champions League triumph, Real Madrid are sinking into a state of crisis.
  • With Barcelona nine points clear at the top of La Liga and Madrid losing two of their opening Champions League fixtures, Ancelotti is coming under heavy scrutiny and does not seem to have the answers he needs.
Just six months on from their Champions League triumph, Real Madrid are sinking into a state of crisis.
Hammered 4-0 by rivals Barcelona in the Clasico at the end of October, Los Blancos slumped to a second consecutive home defeat on Tuesday in Europe, with AC Milan triumphing 3-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Carlo Ancelotti's star-studded side was outclassed in front of their own supporters, as Kylian Mbappe fired blanks once more.
The 25-year-old France captain has scored just once in his last six games, which is a worry given the team's lack of balance this season, in part to accommodate him.
Mbappe is far from Madrid's only problem, with the defence leaking and the midfield lacking patience and creativity.
With Barcelona nine points clear at the top of La Liga and Madrid losing two of their opening Champions League fixtures, Ancelotti is coming under heavy scrutiny and does not seem to have the answers he needs.
"The players have to take a step forward, and I have to with them," admitted the coach after Madrid's defeat by Milan.
"When there's no solidity, you have to have more organisation and work together.
"I can't say that the players are lazy, but we are not capable of working together efficiently... we can't have this defensive level."

'Underestimated' Kroos

Madrid have let in nine goals in their last three matches, all at home, reflecting Ancelotti's concerns.
With captain Dani Carvajal injured, Lucas Vazquez has been filling in at right-back which has weakened the defence.
Eder Militao does not seem fully fit, left-back Ferland Mendy is out of form and holding midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni is struggling badly too.
In midfield the retirement of Toni Kroos in the summer has left Madrid lacking poise and timing.
The German knew how to control the tempo of a match and glued the team together in a way that Fede Valverde has struggled to replicate.
Former Real Madrid player and coach Jorge Valdano highlighted Kroos's absence as a big issue for Madrid.
"There is not much balance in the squad and I think Kroos' departure was underestimated," he said on Movistar.
"In the middle of the pitch is where the team is not finding balance, and Kroos's presence was a cure, because he gave the team the patience they needed, and his mental speed when it was necessary to accelerate (was useful).
"Madrid have lost many things without Kroos and they are not capable of compensating for that, not even with some of the best players in the world."
Ancelotti has not found a permanent position for Jude Bellingham, who was the star of last season's La Liga and Champions League double, but has been displaced by Mbappe's arrival from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer.
Mbappe prefers to play on the left wing but that is where Vinicius Junior operates best and thus far Ancelotti has kept the Brazil star there.
Neither player is particularly helpful when it comes to pressing, which is where Madrid's defensive problems begin.
The worry for Los Blancos is that even since the Clasico, with Madrid's La Liga match against Valencia last weekend postponed, Ancelotti was not able to improve things for the Milan game.
League matches against Osasuna and Leganes either side of the international break may offer the team some respite before Madrid face Liverpool at Anfield in another important European clash.
rbs/jc

Sports

Osimhen beginning to make mark for Galatasaray ahead of Spurs clash

  • Tottenham is the next big test for Osimhen and his team, who can move above Spurs in the Europa League standings with a victory.
  • Tottenham Hotspur will be bidding to maintain their perfect start in the Europa League this season when they head to the cauldron of Istanbul on Thursday to face a Galatasaray side spearheaded by loan star Victor Osimhen.
  • Tottenham is the next big test for Osimhen and his team, who can move above Spurs in the Europa League standings with a victory.
Tottenham Hotspur will be bidding to maintain their perfect start in the Europa League this season when they head to the cauldron of Istanbul on Thursday to face a Galatasaray side spearheaded by loan star Victor Osimhen.
The Nigerian moved to the Turkish giants on loan in early September after being frozen out at Napoli, where former Tottenham boss Antonio Conte became coach after the Italian side put up a poor defence of their Serie A title.
Osimhen was the star of Napoli's run to the Scudetto in 2023 and was expected to be sold in the last close season, but there were no takers for a player with a 130 million-euro ($142m) release clause.
Instead he agreed a move to Galatasaray on a season-long loan, at the end of which the Turkish champions do not have an option to sign him permanently.
While waiting to see where Osimhen's future lies next year, for now the 25-year-old can only attempt to enjoy a successful season in Turkey, away from the limelight of Europe's biggest leagues.
Galatasaray failed to qualify for the Champions League proper after losing over two legs to Young Boys in August, leaving them instead in the Europa League.
Osimhen has started in home wins against PAOK of Greece and Elfsborg of Sweden, while missing an away draw with RFS of Latvia due to injury.
He has not scored in European action, and Galatasaray's leading marksman this season is Mauro Icardi, the former Inter Milan and Paris Saint-Germain striker who has netted six times so far.
Next come Turkish international duo Yunus Akgun and Baris Yilmaz, who both have five goals for Okan Buruk's side.
Osimhen has four goals, all of which have come in his last three domestic league appearances, including what proved to be the winner in a home derby against Besiktas on October 28.
The manner in which he celebrated that header, tearing off his trademark protective face mask and running towards the corner flag before punching the air in delight, suggested he is already fully invested in the Galatasaray cause.

Mourinho jibe

Osimhen has also already played in an even bigger fixture, the Istanbul derby against Fenerbahce, who are now coached by Jose Mourinho.
The latter is the other big recent arrival in Turkish football, as well as another former Tottenham coach, like Conte.
Mourinho, who came up against Osimhen in Italy when he was in charge at Roma, tried to wind up the Nigerian ahead of their meeting on September 21 by accusing him of diving.
"We have a very good relationship but every time I play against him I speak with him because I don't like the way he behaves. He dives too much," Mourinho reportedly told Turkish media in a television interview.
Osimhen has partnered Icardi in attack, but against Fenerbahce he started up front on his own as Galatasaray won 3-1 away to their great rivals on the Asian side of the Bosphorus.
Tottenham is the next big test for Osimhen and his team, who can move above Spurs in the Europa League standings with a victory.
Galatasaray's squad also features Dries Mertens, Michy Batshuayi and ex-Spurs defender Davinson Sanchez, and the game should be comfortably the biggest test yet for Ange Postecoglou's side in this season's competition.
bur-as/gj

women

Talent, toil and pleasing Kim bring N. Korea women's football glory

BY HIEUN SHIN AND KANG JIN-KYU

  • But after winning the under-17 Women's World Cup on Sunday, state media proclaimed that the country's teenage players were "the attention of football experts, fans and spectators across the world".
  • Talent, discipline and a desire to please leader Kim Jong Un have helped propel North Korea's youth footballers to two Women's World Cup crowns in a matter of weeks, experts say.
  • But after winning the under-17 Women's World Cup on Sunday, state media proclaimed that the country's teenage players were "the attention of football experts, fans and spectators across the world".
Talent, discipline and a desire to please leader Kim Jong Un have helped propel North Korea's youth footballers to two Women's World Cup crowns in a matter of weeks, experts say.
Nuclear-armed but impoverished, North Korea is more often in the news for sanctions-busting ballistic missile launches.
But after winning the under-17 Women's World Cup on Sunday, state media proclaimed that the country's teenage players were "the attention of football experts, fans and spectators across the world".
The U17 triumph came after North Korea -- largely closed off to the outside world -- also lifted the Women's World Cup at under-20 level in September.
"I want to first share this joyous news with our beloved father and leader Kim Jong Un," under-17 goalkeeper Park Ju Gyong said.
"I am so happy and overwhelmed that I can't help but cry."
Giving thanks to the Kim family is a tradition for North Korean athletes after notable victories.
Lee Sang-yoon, a former player for the South Korean men's team, said that North Korea's women footballers are "very skilful and known for their stamina".
He told AFP that the "political system" also comes into it -- in that "they strictly adhere to predetermined play patterns in terms of formation and tactics".
Irune Dorado, part of the Spain under-17 team beaten on penalties in the final, called the North Koreans "a very intense team".
"They don't let you breathe," she told the FIFA website.

Why women?

Across the board, North Korean women appear to outperform men at sport.
At the Hangzhou Asian Games in 2023, out of a total of 11 gold medals, 10 were won by women athletes.
When the government picks North Korea's top 10 athletes of the year, it is often mostly women.
"While North Korean society is extremely patriarchal in many ways, the state is more than willing to elevate female athletes to the same -- and in some cases higher -- level as their male counterparts," Shreyas Reddy, a North Korean analyst at the website NK News, told AFP.
The logic behind it is simple.
"It represents a greater chance of success," he said.
North Korea's men have been to the World Cup twice, famously reaching the quarter-finals in England in 1966. They are currently ranked 111 in the world.
Their female counterparts have been to the Women's World Cup four times, getting to the quarter-finals in 2007. They are ranked ninth.
It has changed in recent years, with European nations especially investing in women's football, but for decades North Korea seized their chance in the female game when other countries weren't so interested, experts say.
The two recent World Cup victories were not one-offs.
North Korea have won each tournament a record three times, although that is yet to translate into success when it comes to the biggest prize of all, the Women's World Cup.
Former Premier League striker Shaun Goater was a member of FIFA's technical study group at the under-17 tournament and watched every North Korea match.
"They are a really organised, fit, athletic team with a high level of technical ability and game understanding," he said.
Winger Jon Il Chong walked off with the Golden Ball award for best player at the competition.
Another possible star of the future is countrywoman Choe Il Son. She was named the best player and was top-scorer at the under-20 World Cup.

'Football fan Kim'

North Korean defector Cho Mi-young says that the state plucks the best budding footballers from primary schools across the country and brings them to the capital Pyongyang.
"As it's one of the few opportunities for North Korea to gain positive attention in the international community, the country is dedicating significant resources to developing talented athletes," Cho told Radio Free Asia.
The players undergo years of intense training, but Cho said "the strong mentality and tenacity of North Korean women might have been the biggest factor in their victory".
"Their genuine belief in the need to please their leader" is another major motivation, said Cho.
Kim is said to have a passion for football and a "Pyongyang International Football School" opened two years into his rule.
Heo Jeong-pil, a professor of North Korean studies at Dongguk University in Seoul, said Kim had lent his "interest and support" to women's football.
Heo put the teams' successes down to "their powerful physical conditioning combined with solid resolve.
"This drive is particularly motivated by an intense desire to enhance national prestige, a motivation that is notably stronger compared to other countries."
hs-kjk/ceb/pst

Warner

Warner back as cricket captain after leadership ban lifted

  • "David Warner has officially been announced as Sydney Thunder captain," said a club statement Wednesday.
  • David Warner was named captain of Big Bash League team Sydney Thunder on Wednesday, a fortnight after having his lifetime ban on any leadership role in Australian cricket lifted.
  • "David Warner has officially been announced as Sydney Thunder captain," said a club statement Wednesday.
David Warner was named captain of Big Bash League team Sydney Thunder on Wednesday, a fortnight after having his lifetime ban on any leadership role in Australian cricket lifted.
Warner was cast as the main villain in the so-called "Sandpapergate" scandal in the Cape Town Test of 2018.
The opening batsman, who this year retired from international cricket, conspired with Australia's then-skipper Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft to tamper with the surface of the ball using sandpaper.
He was suspended from playing for a year and banned from any leadership role for life.
A Cricket Australia panel last month decided that Warner met the criteria to have the ban lifted immediately, noting his "respectful and contrite tone".
"David Warner has officially been announced as Sydney Thunder captain," said a club statement Wednesday.
Thunder will begin their season in the Twenty20 BBL against Adelaide Strikers in Canberra on December 17.
"Captaining the Thunder again this season means a lot to me," said the 38-year-old Warner.
"I was part of the team from the start and now to be back with that 'C' next to my name feels fantastic. 
"I'm looking forward to leading from the front and sharing my experience with the young talent coming through."
Sydney Thunder general manager Trent Copeland said: "This is a huge moment for David and for our club. 
"It's not only about his career. It's about the legacy he's creating, especially for his family and the next generation of players.
"For the fans in western Sydney who've long recognised David as a Thunder legend, it's a special moment to now see him as their captain."
bur-dh/pst

Global Edition

Sporting stun Man City in Champions League as Liverpool, Milan claim fine wins

BY ANDY SCOTT

  • - Diaz hat-trick - City have seven points at the halfway stage in the new-look Champions League, while Sporting are second on 10 points, behind only Liverpool, who are the sole team with the maximum 12 points.
  • Viktor Gyokeres scored a hat-trick as Ruben Amorim's Sporting stunned Manchester City with a 4-1 win in the Champions League on Tuesday, while Liverpool trounced Xabi Alonso's Bayer Leverkusen and AC Milan beat holders Real Madrid in Spain.
  • - Diaz hat-trick - City have seven points at the halfway stage in the new-look Champions League, while Sporting are second on 10 points, behind only Liverpool, who are the sole team with the maximum 12 points.
Viktor Gyokeres scored a hat-trick as Ruben Amorim's Sporting stunned Manchester City with a 4-1 win in the Champions League on Tuesday, while Liverpool trounced Xabi Alonso's Bayer Leverkusen and AC Milan beat holders Real Madrid in Spain.
Sporting stole the show with their performance in Lisbon, but the Portuguese champions had to come from behind after Phil Foden put City ahead early on.
Amorim was hoping to sign off from the Champions League in style as Sporting coach before he leaves for Manchester United, and Gyokeres then took centre stage.
The Swedish striker equalised seven minutes before half-time, holding off Champions League debutant Jahmai Simpson-Pusey as he ran through to finish.
Sporting then went ahead 19 seconds into the second half as Maximiliano Araujo finished off a fine move, and shortly after that Gyokeres converted a penalty following a foul by Josko Gvardiol.
City could have pulled one back, but Erling Haaland hit the bar from the spot. Gyokeres showed Haaland how to do it as he scored his second spot-kick to complete a hat-trick, condemning City to their heaviest losing margin in Europe since a 3-0 loss to Liverpool in April 2018.
Gyokeres has 23 goals in 17 games in all competitions this season and will surely be the next star to leave Sporting for a bigger club elsewhere following Amorim's departure.
"It was written that it had to be like that I think, there is no other explanation," Amorim, at Sporting since 2020, said of a famous victory.
"I think everyone who has been here in the last four years deserved this. It was a special night."

Diaz hat-trick

City have seven points at the halfway stage in the new-look Champions League, while Sporting are second on 10 points, behind only Liverpool, who are the sole team with the maximum 12 points.
Luis Diaz scored a hat-trick as the Anfield club secured a statement 4-0 win over Leverkusen on the night Alonso returned to Merseyside, with all the goals coming in the second half.
Diaz put Liverpool ahead just after the hour mark and Cody Gakpo headed in shortly after. Diaz scored again to make it 3-0 and then got his third and his team's fourth in stoppage time, leaving the German champions on seven points after four outings.
"I think it's a good result against a very good team," Gakpo told Amazon Prime.
"They played a very good game, but we kept going, trying, creating chances, defending well."

Real slump again

Madrid suffered their second loss in four games in the competition this season as they went down 3-1 at home to Milan.
The Italians, whose tally of seven European Cups is bettered only by Real's 15, went ahead early on through Malick Thiaw, but the hosts soon drew level through a Vinicius Junior penalty.
However, Alvaro Morata put Milan back ahead before the interval against his old club, following in to finish after a Rafael Leao shot was parried.
Milan got their third on 73 minutes after great play by Leao set up Tijjani Reijnders to score, and Antonio Ruediger had a late effort disallowed for Real.
"When we are 11 lions on the pitch, it is very difficult for a team to beat us," Morata said at full-time.
Monaco are third in the standings with 10 points following a 1-0 victory at Bologna, secured thanks to captain Thilo Kehrer's late goal.
Dortmund are fourth on nine points after Donyell Malen's 85th-minute goal gave them a 1-0 win at home to Sturm Graz.
Dusan Vlahovic's penalty allowed Juventus to come from behind and draw 1-1 at Lille, after Canada's Jonathan David had given the French side the lead.

Celtic impress

Celtic have seven points after a fine fightback secured a 3-1 win for the Scottish champions against RB Leipzig in Glasgow.
Christoph Baumgartner fired Leipzig in front but a brilliant Nicolas Kuehn strike brought Celtic level and he then put them ahead in first-half stoppage time. Reo Hatate got their third.
PSV Eindhoven crushed Girona 4-0, with Ryan Flamingo and Malik Tillman netting in the first half. Arnau Martinez was sent off for Girona before Johan Bakayoko made it 3-0 and Ladislav Krejci scored an own goal.
Dinamo Zagreb came back to win 4-1 at Slovan Bratislava with Sandro Kulenovic scoring twice for the Croatians. 
Slovan, Sturm Graz and Leipzig have lost four out of four.
as/mw

Dodgers

Ohtani has surgery on injured shoulder - Dodgers

  • The Major League Baseball team said in a statement that Ohtani had "successful arthroscopic surgery" in Los Angeles to repair a labrum tear that resulted from the dislocation.
  • Japanese superstar Shohei Ohtani had surgery on Tuesday to repair his left shoulder after it was partially dislocated in game two of the club's World Series triumph over the New York Yankees, the Dodgers said.
  • The Major League Baseball team said in a statement that Ohtani had "successful arthroscopic surgery" in Los Angeles to repair a labrum tear that resulted from the dislocation.
Japanese superstar Shohei Ohtani had surgery on Tuesday to repair his left shoulder after it was partially dislocated in game two of the club's World Series triumph over the New York Yankees, the Dodgers said.
The Major League Baseball team said in a statement that Ohtani had "successful arthroscopic surgery" in Los Angeles to repair a labrum tear that resulted from the dislocation.
"He is expected to be ready for Spring Training," the Dodgers said.
Ohtani was hurt as he attempted to steal second base in the seventh inning of the Dodgers' 4-2 game-two victory.
The Dodgers went on to win the best-of-seven championship series four games to one as Ohtani continued to play.
He had a relatively quiet World Series, failing to get a home run, but said he was "honored" to be part of a championship season.
The 30-year-old Japanese superstar signed for the Dodgers in December last year after six fruitless seasons with the Los Angeles Angels, and was in the post-season for the first time.
Although he didn't pitch for the Dodgers in 2024 as he continued to recover from elbow surgery, he became the first player in Major League history to record 50 home runs and 50 steals in the same campaign.
"What Shohei's done to our ball club, the Dodger fan base domestically, globally, I just don't think you can quantify," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said after their series-clinching victory.
"He was playing with one arm in the postseason. So most guys would probably tap out, but he was going to not be denied at playing and posting and being in the lineup."
bb/des

Sports

Sporting's rout of Man City doesn't guarantee success with Man Utd: Amorim

  • The former Coventry striker has emerged as a Champions League sensation this season, but Amorim said he doesn't expect to bring him to United.
  • Ruben Amorim insisted Sporting Lisbon's stunning 4-1 rout of Manchester City in the Champions League does not guarantee he will be able to make an immediate impact at Manchester United.
  • The former Coventry striker has emerged as a Champions League sensation this season, but Amorim said he doesn't expect to bring him to United.
Ruben Amorim insisted Sporting Lisbon's stunning 4-1 rout of Manchester City in the Champions League does not guarantee he will be able to make an immediate impact at Manchester United.
Sporting manager Amorim has accepted United's offer to replace Erik ten Hag and will officially take charge of the troubled Premier League club on November 11.
Regarded as one of Europe's brightest young managerial minds, the 39-year-old delivered a tantalising glimpse of his acumen as Sporting exposed injury-hit City's defensive weaknesses.
Phil Foden put City ahead in the opening moments at the Jose Alvalade stadium, but the visitors wasted a string of chances to increase their lead and Sporting made them pay.
Viktor Gyokeres equalised before half-time and Maximiliano Araujo bagged Sporting's second after the break before Gyokeres's penalty capped their incredible fightback with two penalties.
Amorim, who led Sporting to two Portuguese titles in four years, will take charge of his first United game at Ipswich on November 24.
But he is far too astute to claim one victory proves he can revitalise moribund United after the club's worst start to a season since 1986-87.
"What I can tell you is that this doesn't mean anything in particular, don't take anything from this," Amorim said.
"It's misleading, we were very lucky today. We cannot transport one reality to another. Manchester United cannot play the way we play and we will have to adapt."
Amorim was lauded by Sporting fans throughout his last home game before his jubilant players gave him a memorable send-off by tossing him in the air in celebration after the final whistle.
"The feeling with my players, the moment with the fans was very special. So I take this to Premier League," he said.
"When I arrive there it's a different world, a different pressure. I will try to be the same. It will be fun, very fun and I'm ready."

'We will start from a lower level'

Despite handing Guardiola his heaviest defeat since 2020, Amorim paid his respects to the manager he must outwit over a whole season, rather than one game, if the balance of power in Manchester is to shift back to Old Trafford.
City have won six titles in eight years under Guardiola, while United haven't been crowned champions since 2013.
"He is so much better than me at the moment. But I believe a lot in my newest club," Amorim said.
"We will start from a lower level, maybe I can say that, and we will improve the team, the club. Let's see."
Sweden striker Gyokeres would be a useful addition to United's misfiring attack on the evidence of his ruthless demolition of injury-hit City.
The former Coventry striker has emerged as a Champions League sensation this season, but Amorim said he doesn't expect to bring him to United.
"No, no. I cannot be funny with that in this moment. It was tough for me to leave. If I start to joke about that with Gyokeres then I have problems," he said.
"This is my city, this is my country, so I will respect that Viktor has to stay until the end of the season and then his life, maybe he is going somewhere else."
Amorim took a long lap of honour after his perfect farewell victory and Gyokeres is in no doubt about his departing manager's qualities
"We will miss him a lot. We've done amazing things together. We will miss him and the other guys in the staff who will leave," he said.
smg//bb

Sports

Liverpool the 'complete' team, says Alonso after Leverkusen humbled

BY KIERAN CANNING

  • Alonso won the Champions League during his five years as a Liverpool player between 2004 and 2009 and said he was powerless to stop that momentum despite his personal experience of the Anfield crowd.
  • Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso hailed Liverpool's quality after the German champions were blown away in the second half of a 4-0 loss at Anfield in the Champions League on Tuesday.
  • Alonso won the Champions League during his five years as a Liverpool player between 2004 and 2009 and said he was powerless to stop that momentum despite his personal experience of the Anfield crowd.
Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso hailed Liverpool's quality after the German champions were blown away in the second half of a 4-0 loss at Anfield in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Alonso had been one of the leading candidates to return to his old club when Jurgen Klopp stepped down as manager at the end of last season.
The Spaniard's decision to remain in Germany opened the door for Arne Slot to take charge and the Dutchman is off to a flying start with 14 wins and one draw in his first 16 matches in charge in all competitions.
Liverpool are sitting pretty at the top of both the Premier League and Champions League and have advanced to the quarter-finals of the League Cup.
Leverkusen matched the Reds for the opening hour but collapsed after Luis Diaz latched onto Curtis Jones' through ball to open the scoring.
Cody Gakpo quickly headed in a second before Diaz struck twice more in the final 10 minutes for his first Liverpool hat-trick.
"They are a complete team," said Alonso, whose name was chanted by the home fans in the closing stages.
"They are able to defend, to score, to have power in the boxes, keep clean sheets, with not many chances to score goals - that is a great strength in the Champions League.
"They are in a good moment, everything has good balance, the coach is doing great work, so it looks like a great season but we are still in November."
Liverpool were inspired by the atmosphere to come from behind to beat Brighton to go top of the Premier League on Saturday and relied upon a similar boost from the crowd after a flat first half.
Alonso won the Champions League during his five years as a Liverpool player between 2004 and 2009 and said he was powerless to stop that momentum despite his personal experience of the Anfield crowd.
"I know the feeling that the Liverpool players they feel. It is an extra boost, 'now is the moment, now we go'," he added.
"To defend in those moments is not easy. Like what happened to Brighton on Saturday. To put it in words is easy, it's much more difficult on the pitch."
Slot's midas touch saw his decision to start Diaz in an unfamiliar central role up front rewarded as the Colombian scored the first hat-trick of his career.
Diaz has had to battle with Gakpo for a regular starting role this season but is already up to nine goals for the campaign.
"It's a very special moment that I'll remember my whole life," said Diaz.
"They are a very tough opponent. It was about trying to turn the game in any way possible.
"The first goal then opened the game a bit and we were then able to play our game. We had a super second half."
kca/mw

Sports

Diaz hits hat-trick as Liverpool spoil Alonso's return to Anfield

BY KIERAN CANNING

  • Alonso, a Champions League winner during his playing days in the Liverpool midfield, turned his back on succeeding Jurgen Klopp to remain at Leverkusen after leading them to an unbeaten German league and cup double last season.
  • Xabi Alonso said his return to Anfield was bittersweet after Liverpool thrashed Bayer Leverkusen 4-0 on Tuesday, thanks to a Luis Diaz hat-trick, to go top of the Champions League table.
  • Alonso, a Champions League winner during his playing days in the Liverpool midfield, turned his back on succeeding Jurgen Klopp to remain at Leverkusen after leading them to an unbeaten German league and cup double last season.
Xabi Alonso said his return to Anfield was bittersweet after Liverpool thrashed Bayer Leverkusen 4-0 on Tuesday, thanks to a Luis Diaz hat-trick, to go top of the Champions League table.
Cody Gakpo was also on target as the Reds maintained their 100 percent record in Europe after four games.
Alonso, a Champions League winner during his playing days in the Liverpool midfield, turned his back on succeeding Jurgen Klopp to remain at Leverkusen after leading them to an unbeaten German league and cup double last season.
The Spaniard's name was chanted by the home support in the closing stages.
Liverpool, though, are not left wondering what might have been as Arne Slot continued his stunning start as manager with a 14th win in 16 games in all competitions.
"One thing is the game and the other thing was the reception," said Alonso, who played for the Reds between 2004 and 2009.
"I have a bitter feeling but I really appreciate and (I'm) thankful that after so many years I come here and still have that bond with the club. But it would have been nicer with a better result."
Leverkusen remain on seven points from their opening four Champions League matches after another sobering night for their ambitions to match the heights they hit last season.
Alonso's men sit fourth in the Bundesliga, seven points adrift of leaders Bayern Munich, and failed to master what their coach described pre-match as a "beautiful challenge".
Slot's decision to move Diaz into a central role up front proved inspired as the Colombian struck his first hat-trick for the club.

Sleepless night

Just like in Saturday's 2-1 win over Brighton that took Slot's men to the top of the Premier League, it took until the second half for both Liverpool and the Anfield crowd to come to life.
"Second half we could adjust the gameplan, we took more risks and we were better with the ball as well," said Slot.
"If you work or play at Liverpool you always feels pressure but we embrace this because we want to complete for everything. You have to accept if you work or play here you can enjoy these incredible evenings."
A cagey tactical battle was sparked into life on the hour mark by a moment of stunning quality.
Curtis Jones spun his marker before splitting the Leverkusen defence with a pinpoint pass for Diaz, who nonchalantly chipped the advancing Lukas Hradecky.
Two minutes later, Liverpool killed the visitors off with another flowing move.
Mohamed Salah's driven cross was headed in at the back post by the flying Gakpo.
The linesman raised his flag to momentarily silence the celebrations, but a VAR review showed the Dutch forward was onside for his sixth goal of the season.
Victor Boniface headed wide with a huge chance to bring Leverkusen immediately back into the game.
Instead, Liverpool pulled further clear seven minutes from time when Diaz controlled Salah's looping cross and fired home.
The Colombian then rounded off the scoring with his ninth goal of the season in stoppage time with another clinical finish after Darwin Nunez's blocked shot fell into his path.
Liverpool's return of 12 points means they are almost certainly already assured of a place in the knockout phase, but are closing in on sealing direct progression to the last 16 via a top-eight finish in the 36-team league.
Leverkusen slip to 11th but Alonso is confident of progressing with three of their remaining four games to come at home.
"We are in a good position to fight to go through to the next round," he added. "Today it will be tougher to sleep but we have time to see the positives as well."
kca/jc

ATP

'Like a little boy': Uruguay's Forlan on his tennis pro debut

BY ALINA DIESTE

  • I'm still a former football player enjoying a sport that I played from a very young age," he said.
  • Former  Manchester United and Atletico Madrid striker Diego Forlan said Tuesday that he felt "like a little boy" after swapping his football boots for a tennis racket at the age of 45.
  • I'm still a former football player enjoying a sport that I played from a very young age," he said.
Former  Manchester United and Atletico Madrid striker Diego Forlan said Tuesday that he felt "like a little boy" after swapping his football boots for a tennis racket at the age of 45.
Uruguayan forward Forlan was speaking at the launch of the Uruguay Open, where he will make his professional tennis debut next week.
"I enjoy it (tennis) like a little boy and having the privilege of playing a professional tournament is a luxury," Forlan said at the Carrasco Lawn Tennis Club in Montevideo which will host the tournament from November 10 to 17.
Forlan, who retired from the Uruguayan national team in 2015 and from club football in 2019, will play doubles with Argentina's Federico Coria, the 32-year-old brother of Argentina's Davis Cup captain, Guillermo Coria. 
The winner of the Golden Ball for best player at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, who played tennis before becoming a professional footballer, has just made his debut in the over-40 circuit of the International Tennis Federation.
He said he was excited to compete on the courts where he played as a child.
"It's a gift, so I don't have to prove anything to anyone. I'm still a former football player enjoying a sport that I played from a very young age," he said.
He cited among his tennis heroes Uruguay's Diego Perez, Marcelo Filippini and Pablo Cuevas but also expressed admiration for Spanish legend Rafael Nadal, whom he described as a "fighter".

'Having a good time'

The Uruguay Open, part of the ATP's second-tier Challenger Tour, is the country's biggest men's professional tennis tournament.
Besides Coria, it will also feature fellow top-100 players Francisco Comesana and Thiago Monteiro.
"I try to prepare in the best possible way, but I am clear about the fact that I am not at the level of professional players," said Forlan.
"First there is a significant age difference, even though I am in good condition physically."
He added that he knew "it will not be easy at all and that those who come here come to win".
"I do that in every sport, all the more so at professional level," he said, promising to do his best "and have a good time".
Over the course of his club career Forlan was twice the Spanish La Liga's top scorer.
He also won the Premier League with Man United in 2003, the Europa League with Atletico seven years later and helped Uruguay win the 2011 Copa America for a record 15th time.
Forlan said that while he had "greatly enjoyed" his time on the pitch he played "much more tennis" now.
"The truth is that I would never have imagined today that I would have the opportunity to play tennis at a professional level, not even close," he said.
"It's a sport that I play and that I have fun with, but I don't dominate it in the way I did football," he said.
ad/cb/jc

Sports

Man City in a 'dark place' but Guardiola vows to solve the crisis

  • "It's disappointing because we're a bit in a dark place right now.
  • Bernardo Silva admitted Manchester City are in a "dark place" after their shock 4-1 humiliation at Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League, but Pep Guardiola vowed to solve his spluttering side's problems. 
  • "It's disappointing because we're a bit in a dark place right now.
Bernardo Silva admitted Manchester City are in a "dark place" after their shock 4-1 humiliation at Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League, but Pep Guardiola vowed to solve his spluttering side's problems. 
Viktor Gyokeres's hat-trick and a series of costly City misses condemned Guardiola's men to three successive defeats for the first time since 2018.
Adding to City's misery was the sight of Sporting boss Ruben Amorim celebrating a remarkable victory in his final home game before leaving the Portuguese champions to take charge of Manchester United on November 11.
City's heaviest defeat since 2020 meant, for only the second time in the Guardiola era, they had suffered three consecutive losses in a single season.
After making a strong start to the season, the Premier League champions were beaten by Tottenham in the League Cup last week before losing at Bournemouth on Saturday in their first top-flight defeat since December.
City's unexpected malaise comes amid a rash of injuries to key players including Rodri, Ruben Dias, John Stones, Jack Grealish and Kevin De Bruyne, who was only fit enough for a brief substitute appearance at the Jose Alvalade stadium.
It was a painful return to Portugal for Lisbon-born Silva, who conceded City are mired in a damaging slump.
"It's disappointing because we're a bit in a dark place right now. Everything looks to be going in the wrong way," he said.
"Even when we are playing well we don't score our chances and we concede too easily.
"We need to get better very quickly otherwise it will be very difficult to come back from these losses.
"It's difficult to find reasons for what is happening to us. It just looks like this team is going the wrong way now.
"Our injured players need to come back because we need them and it's just not good enough tonight."
City's first defeat in four games in this season's Champions League should not be fatal to their European ambitions.
But Guardiola cannot fail to be alarmed by the way his injury-riddled defence was run ragged after Phil Foden put City ahead in the fourth minute.

'I like this challenge'

It didn't help that Jahmai Simpson-Pusey, a 19-year-old centre-back called up due to City's fitness problems, endured a baptism of fire in his first City start.
Erling Haaland's profligate finishing was equally culpable, with the Norway striker hitting the bar with a second-half penalty after missing several opportunities to increase City's advantage in the first half.
"We had a fantastic first half, now we are struggling to score. We create and concede when the opponents don't do much," Guardiola said.
"At 2-1 down, many things can happen. Emotionally we were not stable enough and in this competition you have to be stable.
"Sporting made a good moment, they were fast and scored. It can happen."
Pressed on the reasons for City's collapse, Guardiola admitted their creaky defence and injury issues were taking a toll.
"Maybe. When you play lots of games you cannot play the same line-up and same back four. We have had these problems for day one but it is what it is," he said.
"It is football. Maybe what we lived in the past is the exception. Sometimes you can lose. We were in the position where they punished us for the few they do and we struggled for the chances we had."
City desperately need to bounce back at Brighton in the Premier League on Saturday.
They are second in the table, two points behind leaders Liverpool, as they chase a fifth successive title and Guardiola insisted he can find an answer to their problems.
"Now is the difficult moment in terms of results but I want to be here. I want to fight and not give up," he said. 
"I like this challenge as a manager I have ahead of me. Who wants to follow us will be there."
smg/mw

Sports

AC Milan topple Champions League holders Real Madrid

  • Mbappe, yet to find top form in a Madrid shirt since his move from Paris Saint-Germain and particularly frustrated in the Barcelona defeat, broke in again before half-time but Maignan saved his low effort.
  • Champions League holders Real Madrid fell to a 3-1 home defeat by AC Milan on Tuesday in the group stage with striker Kylian Mbappe unable to find the net again.
  • Mbappe, yet to find top form in a Madrid shirt since his move from Paris Saint-Germain and particularly frustrated in the Barcelona defeat, broke in again before half-time but Maignan saved his low effort.
Champions League holders Real Madrid fell to a 3-1 home defeat by AC Milan on Tuesday in the group stage with striker Kylian Mbappe unable to find the net again.
The 25-year-old France captain has scored once in his last six matches for Madrid across all competitions, including three losses for Los Blancos.
Malick Thiaw headed the Italian side ahead before Vinicius Junior levelled from the penalty spot for the hosts.
Alvaro Morata struck against his former side to restore Milan's lead before the break and Tijjani Reijnders netted the third to secure Milan's victory.
Madrid were unable to bounce back strongly from the 4-0 thrashing by Barcelona in late October, their last outing after Saturday's La Liga match at Valencia was postponed because of devastating floods in the east of Spain.
Players from both sides wore t-shirts before the match reading "We are all Valencia" while in one stand a giant Valencia regional flag was unfurled for a minute's silence.
In the 90 minutes that followed, Paulo Fonseca's Milan, seventh in Serie A, outclassed Madrid.
"We are going through a period when our opponents are punishing us a lot and we have to keep working so that this doesn't happen again," Madrid defender Lucas Vazquez told Movistar.
Los Blancos have let in nine goals in their last three home matches.
"We have to be worried, the team's not giving a good account of itself," said Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti.
"The team is not compact, we have to be more compact, more organised, we've let in a lot of goals... we're not well organised on the pitch and we have to work on that."
Milan have won the competition seven times, behind only record 15-time champions Madrid, but have not reached a final since 2007, when Ancelotti led them to the trophy.
This victory harked back to their glory days and Fonseca praised his team's bravery.
"The players came here with courage, didn't have any fear... in the first half we created plenty and in the second half we were on the back foot, but we fought together," said the Portuguese coach.
"We definitely deserved to win."
Ancelotti, who won the Champions League twice as a player and then twice as a coach with Milan, only made one change from the Clasico humiliation, bringing in Luka Modric for Eduardo Camavinga.
Madrid fell behind in the 12th minute. Thiaw's near-post header from a corner flew past the helpless Andriy Lunin to earn the Serie A side the lead.
Mike Maignan saved from Mbappe at the other end as Madrid hit back, with Vinicius winning a penalty as he fell under a clumsy tackle from Emerson Royal.
The Brazilian, who finished as runner-up in last week's Ballon d'Or ceremony in Paris when he had been favourite to win, coolly dispatched it with a cheeky dinked Panenka effort.

'11 lions'

Milan regained the lead in the 39th minute through former Madrid striker Morata, who reacted quickly to fire home after Lunin saved from Rafael Leao.
Mbappe, yet to find top form in a Madrid shirt since his move from Paris Saint-Germain and particularly frustrated in the Barcelona defeat, broke in again before half-time but Maignan saved his low effort.
Ancelotti took action at half-time, bringing on Camavinga and Brahim Diaz, and it opened up the second half for an end-to-end affair.
Lunin made a superb flying save from Leao's header before the winger set up Reijnders at the end of a superb solo run to turn home for Milan's third.
Antonio Rudiger smashed home but was offside and Maignan denied Diaz with a fine late save, killing any Madrid hopes of a classic European comeback.
Madrid have now lost two of their four matches and are in the middle of the table, provisionally 17th, one place above Milan.
Their next Champions League match is at Anfield against Liverpool, by when Ancelotti will hope to have solved some of his team's growing problems.
Morata thought his team's work-rate was crucial to their impressive victory in the Spanish capital.
"It was important for us to know the value we have and that when we are 11 lions on the pitch, it is very difficult for a team to beat us," he said.
rbs/mw/jc

Sports

Celtic inflict more Champions League pain on Leipzig

  • Leipzig, who suffered their first Bundesliga defeat of the season at Borussia Dortmund at the weekend, are one of six teams still yet to get off the mark in the Champions League this season.
  • Nicolas-Gerrit Kuhn scored twice as Celtic came from behind to beat RB Leipzig 3-1 on Tuesday and leave the German club still without a point in the Champions League.
  • Leipzig, who suffered their first Bundesliga defeat of the season at Borussia Dortmund at the weekend, are one of six teams still yet to get off the mark in the Champions League this season.
Nicolas-Gerrit Kuhn scored twice as Celtic came from behind to beat RB Leipzig 3-1 on Tuesday and leave the German club still without a point in the Champions League.
The visitors opened the scoring in the 23rd minute through Christoph Baumgartner, but Kuhn curled home a fine equaliser for Celtic before netting again before half-time.
Reo Hatate gave Celtic some breathing space as Brendan Rodgers' side moved onto seven points after four games, boosting their hopes of reaching the knock-out phase for the first time since 2013.
"If you told us after the Dortmund game we'd have four points from the next two games, I don't think too many people would have said we would have done that," said Celtic manager Rodgers, whose side were thrashed 7-1 by Borussia Dortmund in their second match.
"It's a great next step and gives us great encouragement to go and make the play-off stage, but there is still so much to do."
Leipzig, who suffered their first Bundesliga defeat of the season at Borussia Dortmund at the weekend, are one of six teams still yet to get off the mark in the Champions League this season.
"Something was missing, you have to be honest about that," Baumgartner told DAZN.
"Everyone has to look in the mirror and ask themselves if that was enough. Because we were too sloppy, too inaccurate in our passing game and made too many easy mistakes."
Leipzig struck first for the third time in the competition as Baumgartner stooped to nod home after Kevin Kampl's corner was inadvertently flicked on by Celtic defender Cameron Carter-Vickers.
Willi Orban almost doubled Leipzig's lead shortly afterwards, heading another dangerous set-piece narrowly wide.
But Celtic hit back 10 minutes before half-time as Kuhn jinked inside and bent a wonderful strike in off the far post.
Kuhn almost turned creator a few minutes later, playing a magnificent through ball with the outside of his right boot to Daizen Maeda, but the Japanese forward could only blast over with just Leipzig goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi to beat.
The German completed the first-half turnaround himself in the first minute of added time, firing home Greg Taylor's cutback after Maeda completely missed the ball with his attempted shot.
Both sides went close early in the second half, with home 'keeper Kasper Schmeichel denying Benjamin Sesko an equaliser and Gulacsi keeping out Hatate's low strike.
But Hatate did give Celtic a two-goal cushion with 18 minutes remaining, turning the ball home after Gulacsi inexplicably spilled Alistair Johnston's tame cross.
The Scottish champions passed up further opportunities to score late on, but were able to celebrate a crucial victory.
jc/mw

Sports

Kehrer snatches late Champions League win for Monaco at Bologna

  • Bologna's first ever campaign in the modern Champions League looks set to be a short one after a third straight defeat in the competition for Vincenzo Italiano's side.
  • Thilo Kehrer fired Monaco to a 1-0 victory at Bologna on Tuesday with a late winner which continued the Ligue 1 club's unbeaten start in the Champions League.
  • Bologna's first ever campaign in the modern Champions League looks set to be a short one after a third straight defeat in the competition for Vincenzo Italiano's side.
Thilo Kehrer fired Monaco to a 1-0 victory at Bologna on Tuesday with a late winner which continued the Ligue 1 club's unbeaten start in the Champions League.
Germany defender Kehrer prodded home the only goal of the game with four minutes remaining in northern Italy to put Monaco on 10 points from their first four matches of this season's revamped version of Europe's elite club competition.
Adi Hutter's side have fallen six points behind Paris Saint-Germain in France following two straight league defeats. 
But Monaco are firmly in contention for automatic qualification for the Champions League's last 16 following Kehrer's third goal of the season, which moved his team up to third and just two points behind leaders Liverpool.
"The reaction of the team was fantastic. I am very proud of the team and what the players showed, especially since we are one of the youngest teams in the competition," said Hutter.
"Obviously you're a bit lucky when you score at the end, but we deserved the win if you look at the whole match."
Bologna's first ever campaign in the modern Champions League looks set to be a short one after a third straight defeat in the competition for Vincenzo Italiano's side.
The Italians have just a single point and have failed to score once, making their chances of even reaching the play-offs slim.
Monaco came closest to scoring in the first half with Breel Embolo denied by a brilliant Lukasz Skorupski save in the 15th minute, the Swiss attacker's effort tipped onto the post after he was sent through on goal.
Wilfried Singo thought he had put Monaco in the lead in four minutes later but after a lengthy VAR check his goal was rightly ruled out for his clear foul on Skorupski.
Bologna pushed in the second half but Kehrer knocked the stuffing out of the passionate home crowd when he met Embolo's flick-on at a corner and snatched a big win.
td/mw

Sports

Substitute Malen's late strike lifts Dortmund past Sturm Graz

  • Malen struck five minutes from time after stealing possession as Graz played out from the back, linking up with Serhou Guirassy to secure Dortmund their third win from four Champions League games.
  • Donyell Malen came off the bench and scored the only goal as Borussia Dortmund ground out a 1-0 home win over Sturm Graz in the Champions League on Tuesday.
  • Malen struck five minutes from time after stealing possession as Graz played out from the back, linking up with Serhou Guirassy to secure Dortmund their third win from four Champions League games.
Donyell Malen came off the bench and scored the only goal as Borussia Dortmund ground out a 1-0 home win over Sturm Graz in the Champions League on Tuesday.
A visibly weary Dortmund, nursing a mounting injury list, were missing eight regular starters and had only one senior professional, Malen, on the bench.
Malen struck five minutes from time after stealing possession as Graz played out from the back, linking up with Serhou Guirassy to secure Dortmund their third win from four Champions League games.
"They're a hard team to play against but at the end we got our reward," Dortmund coach Nuri Sahin told DAZN.
"Hats off to the lads, they didn't stop running. What they did isn't normal," he added. 
"I'm happy for Donnie (Malen). I told him we needed intensity from the bench and he brought that today."
Despite playing a week after going to extra time in a German Cup loss at Wolfsburg and three days since a gritty home victory over RB Leipzig, Sahin was forced into naming an unchanged XI. 
Last season's Champions League runners-up dominated possession but were unable to take advantage of the difference in class with their Austrian opponents. 
Graz's 2.06-metre tall goalkeeper Kjell Scherpen impressed, particularly in the first half as he saved shots from Marcel Sabitzer and Maximilian Beier.
With just a minute remaining in the first half and Scherpen beaten, Graz captain Otar Kiteishvili saved a certain goal by clearing a Beier shot off the line.
The hosts continued to camp out near the Graz penalty box but lost their zip as the game went on, with Sahin bringing Malen from the bench.
Getting within inches of a tap-in just moments after coming on, the Dutchman's freshness was noticeable and he would prove the difference, putting Dortmund ahead in the closing minutes.
"We didn't let anything through the whole game, had many chances and scored a very late goal at the end," said Dortmund defender Nico Schlotterbeck.
"It doesn't matter to me how we get the three points -- we finally kept a clean sheet, I'm very pleased." 
Dortmund are fourth in the 36-team Champions League table, while Graz are still without a point after four matches.
dwi/mw

Sports

Lille deny Juventus in Champions League stalemate

  • Thiago Motta's Juventus were looking to bounce back from a 1-0 loss at home to VfB Stuttgart in their last outing and are level with Lille on seven points halfway through the league phase.
  • Canada's Jonathan David was again on target as Lille continued their good run in this season's Champions League by holding Juventus to a 1-1 draw in northern France on Tuesday.
  • Thiago Motta's Juventus were looking to bounce back from a 1-0 loss at home to VfB Stuttgart in their last outing and are level with Lille on seven points halfway through the league phase.
Canada's Jonathan David was again on target as Lille continued their good run in this season's Champions League by holding Juventus to a 1-1 draw in northern France on Tuesday.
Having upset the odds to beat both Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid in their last two outings, Lille were on course for another famous victory when David put them ahead on 27 minutes.
That was his fourth goal in the Champions League this season, but two-time European champions Juve drew level through a Dusan Vlahovic penalty on the hour mark.
Thiago Motta's Juventus were looking to bounce back from a 1-0 loss at home to VfB Stuttgart in their last outing and are level with Lille on seven points halfway through the league phase.
Next up for Juve is a tough trip to Aston Villa and a home game against Manchester City, but one more win for the Italian giants should be enough for them to at least qualify for the play-off round.
Lille, meanwhile, have exceeded expectations so far and will hope to get more points on the board in their final two outings of the calendar year against Bologna and Sturm Graz.
Their two star attacking players combined brilliantly for the opener, with winger Edon Zhegrova turning superbly away from Juan Cabal before releasing David.
Scorer of the winner against Real Madrid and a double against Atletico, David ran through to finish emphatically past Michele Di Gregorio to make it 1-0.
Juve had a goal disallowed for offside before that and Lille were then grateful to goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier for a brilliant save to deny Vlahovic.
The visitors then had another goal ruled out when the flag came up in the 41st minute to deny Teun Koopmeiners after he had swept in a Kenan Yildiz cutback.
However, the Serie A side won a penalty on the hour mark when Francisco Conceicao went down as Benjamin Andre left his leg out in the box.
Vlahovic made no mistake from the spot and the game ended all square.
as/bsp