BUENOS AIRES: Lionel Messi scored his 10th international hat trick to raise his career total to 112 goals and also had a pair of assists to lead Argentina over Bolivia 6-0 in a World Cup qualifier on Tuesday.
After missing a pair of October qualifiers while recovering from a right ankle injury sustained in the Copa America, Messi played the entire match before raucous fans at Estadio Monumental who chanted his name after he opened the scoring in the 19th minute.
Messi added goals in the 84th and 86th minutes. The 37-year-old is second on the career scoring list behind the 133 of Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo.
Rival Brazil and under-pressure coach Dorival Júnio got some relief with a convincing performance in a 4-0 home win against Peru.
Argentina leads South American qualifying with 22 points after 10 matches, three points clear of second-place Colombia, who beat Chile 4-0. Uruguay, which earlier had a goalless draw with Ecuador, and Brazil have 16 points each, with the Uruguayans in third place on goal difference.
Ecuador and Paraguay follow with 13 points apiece, with Ecuadorians fifth on goal difference.
The top six teams secure automatic berths in the 2026 World Cup. The seventh-place team, currently Bolivia, will play in an international playoff for a spot in the tournament.
Two more rounds will be played in November.
Messi in strong form on return
Messi’s first goal came after a mistake by a Bolivian defender, who missed a pass and allowed Messi to run freely and finish unchallenged in front of goalkeeper Billy Viscarra. Messi assisted on Lautaro Martínez’s 43rd-minute goal and gave a decisive pass once again Julián Álvarez scored in the third minute of first-half stoppage time.
Thiago Almada in the 69th minute off a low cross by Nahuel Molina before Messi had great finishing touches from the edge of the area.
“We enjoyed this, we are happy to be here playing in Argentina,” said Messi, who once again refused to say whether he will play in the next World Cup in 2026. “This could be one of the last (matches in front of the Argentinian crowd).”
Bolivia, which is seeking to qualify for the World Cup for the first time in 30 years, remains in contention with 12 points.
Brazil reappears under Júnior
This month’s rounds of South American qualifying were important for coach Dorival Júnior. His team was knocked out in the quarterfinals of the latest Copa America and was struggling against rivals it used to beat easily, such as Paraguay and Venezuela.
Júnior’s chances of success seemed low in matches against Chile and Peru due to injuries affecting several of his starters; goalkeeper Alisson, defender Éder Militão and striker Vinicius Júnior were all out. But a last-minute win against the Chileans and a convincing display against the Peruvians will give the Brazil coach some relief.
Raphinha scored from the spot twice to put Brazil in front in Brasilia, the first in the 38th minute and the second in the 54th.
Substitute Andreas Pereira made more than 60,000 fans at the National Stadium gasp when he scored with a volley in the 71st minute. Another substitute, Luiz Henrique, scored for the second consecutive match for the national team with a classy shot from the edge of the box.
“These were two matches that we controlled well,” Raphinha said. “We are far from perfection, but we are on the right track.”
Chile in last place
Chile’s loss to Colombia has placed the job of coach Ricardo Gareca at risk. Davinson Sánchez, Luis Díaz, Jhon Durán and Luis Sinistierra scored the goals for Colombia. Chile is in last place in the qualifying group with only five points.
Paraguay beat Venezuela 2-1 and moved into a qualifying position in the standings. Jon Aramburo opened the scoring for the visitors in the 25th minute, but striker Antonio Sarabia came off the bench to win it for the hosts with goals in the 59th and 74th minutes.
Messi scores 10th hat trick as Argentina wins World Cup qualifier
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Messi scores 10th hat trick as Argentina wins World Cup qualifier
- Lionel Messi scored his 10th international hat trick to raise his career total to 112 goals
- Messi added goals in the 84th and 86th minutes
Man Utd not yet out of Premier League title race, says Amorim
Arteta said champions Manchester City were still a danger despite their recent slump
LONDON: Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta says it is too early to rule Manchester United out of the Premier League title race as he prepares his in-form team to face Ruben Amorim’s resurgent side on Wednesday.
United are 15 points behind leaders Liverpool and four points off the Champions League spots after 13 matches.
Arteta was asked at his pre-match press conference on Tuesday whether United could be in the title mix despite their poor start to the season under the sacked Erik ten Hag.
“It’s still very early in the season,” said the Spaniard, whose team are second in the table, six points clear of United.
“Any team that has the capacity to put five or six wins in a row is going to be up there because it’s so tough and you see every week how all the teams are struggling to maintain winning, winning and winning. So I think anything is possible.”
And Arteta said champions Manchester City were still a danger despite their recent slump — Pep Guardiola’s men have lost their past four league matches to fall 11 points behind Liverpool.
“Again, if there is a team with the capacity to turn it around and start to win, win, win and win — don’t rule them out because you know how much quality they have,” he said.
Arsenal have a good recent home record against United, who have won two and drawn one of their first three games in all competitions under Amorim.
Arteta said he could already see the influence of the former Sporting Lisbon boss, just weeks after he replaced Ten Hag.
“You can see his fingerprints in what he wants to do straight away,” he said. “I think he’s been very clear, he’s been very successful with Sporting.
“He brings energy to a new club and to the players new ideas and that’s always something positive but we have to focus on what we have to do.”
Arsenal have also been drawn against holders United in the third round of the FA Cup, which takes place early next month.
“We play at home, it’s going to be a big match again and it’s a little bit of the story of the last few seasons that in the third or fourth round we are playing big opponents,” he said.
“But we want to do what we have done historically at this club and in the end, you have to beat the big teams to win it. It is what it is. We are excited.”
Muqeem stars as Pakistan crush Zimbabwe to win T20 series
- The 25-year-old took five consecutive wickets for the loss of only three runs
- Zimbabwe crumbled to 57 all out in 12.4 overs after making a promising start
BULAWAYO: Pakistan wrist spinner Sufiyan Muqeem starred in a series-clinching 10-wicket Twenty20 international rout of Zimbabwe in Bulawayo on Tuesday.
The 25-year-old took five consecutive wickets for the loss of only three runs as Zimbabwe crumbled to 57 all out in 12.4 overs after making a promising start.
Pakistan then sped to 61-0 off 33 balls through Saim Ayub (36) and Omair Yousuf (22) to follow up a 57-run victory last Sunday in the first of three matches.
Victory completed a white-ball double for the tourists, who won a one-day international series 2-1 last week.
Pakistan captain Salman Agha said: “Losing the toss did not concern us because we had plans and executed them really well. The bowling of Sufiyan was outstanding.
“We have a young side full of quality players and the way they are performing is very heartening for me.”
Zimbabwe skipper Sikandar Raza admitted his team were “all hurting and in a pretty bad place at the moment.
“My biggest concern is whether we are learning our lessons when we suffer defeats because we seem to be making the same mistakes match after match.”
Zimbabwe openers Brian Bennett (21) and Tadiwanashe Marumani (16) — the only batters to reach double figures — built a 37-run partnership in four overs.
Then, both fell within five balls, and the home team lost their 10 wickets for just 20 runs as Muqeem wreaked havoc.
Marumani was caught by Tayyab Tahir at cover point and Bennett by Irfan Khan at deep square leg at the Queens Sports Club.
All-rounder Raza, often the batting savior for Zimbabwe, made just three before his off stump was uprooted by Abbas Afridi.
Raza was among four bowlers who had no success trying to contain Ayub and Yousuf. The openers struck 10 boundaries, including a six each, between them.
A four from Ayub past backward point sealed victory.
Pakistan complete the T20 series against Zimbabwe on Thursday. They then travel to South Africa for an eight-match all-formats tour, including two Tests.
Guardiola says Man City can hit top form again despite slump
- “With all the squad this season, we’ll be close to the level that we reached last season,” Guardiola said
- The club have been beset by injury problems this season, most notably the loss of Ballon d’Or winner Rodri for the rest of the campaign
LONDON: Pep Guardiola says struggling Manchester City can hit the heights of recent seasons once he has all his top players back despite their alarming slump.
The defending Premier League champions have lost six of their past seven games in all competitions — falling 11 points behind leaders Liverpool in the English top flight.
It is an extraordinary collapse for a team that have won six of the past seven Premier League titles, including the past four.
Guardiola, whose team host Nottingham Forest on Wednesday, told a pre-match press conference he was confident City’s decline is not terminal.
“With all the squad this season, we’ll be close to the level that we reached last season,” he said on Tuesday.
The club have been beset by injury problems this season, most notably the loss of Ballon d’Or winner Rodri for the rest of the campaign.
A number of other key players have spent time in the treatment room including Kyle Walker, Jack Grealish, Kevin De Bruyne, Mateo Kovacic and Ruben Dias.
Guardiola described City as “magnificent” at Liverpool on Sunday despite their 2-0 defeat.
“I would say we are not far away from the team second in the Premier League (City are two points behind Arsenal),” he said.
“But always it’s the way you play, the consistency you have in the boxes, and many things that give you the positive thoughts of what is going to happen in future.”
Guardiola said the club would talk “internally” over whether they would bolster the squad in next month’s transfer window.
And he confirmed that Ederson remained his number one goalkeeper after he was dropped for the Liverpool match in favor of understudy Stefan Ortega following a mistake in last week’s 3-3 draw against Feyenoord.
He said the Brazilian had reacted well to his decision.
“Ederson number one, Stefan number two,” he said. “But maybe Stefan continues. We’ll see tomorrow and the next games.”
Guardiola called on City’s fans to help lift the team against Forest, who are sixth in the table, a point behind his men.
“Many, many good moments we’ve lived together,” he said. “They know that we need absolute support because all of us, the players especially, are human beings.”
World Supercross return promises more thrills in the sand for Abu Dhabi crowds
- Ethara’s Ali Al-Beshr and Tom Burwell of WSX spoke to Arab News about their partnership and the season finale on Wednesday
ABU DHABI: As part of Abu Dhabi GP Week, which wraps up the 2024 Formula 1 Championship, Yas Island on Wednesday night will also be the final World Supercross event of the 2024 championship.
Arab News spoke to two leading figures, from organizers Ethara and WSX, about the significance of hosting the World Supercross Abu Dhabi GP in the capital of the UAE.
Ali Al-Beshr
Executive director of Motorsport Development at Ethara
After the successful debut of WSX in Abu Dhabi last year, what is the significance of hosting the finale this year?
Hosting the WSX finale is a significant step forward for Abu Dhabi and the UAE.
Last year’s debut showcased our ability to deliver a high-energy, world-class event, and this year we’re taking it to the next level by hosting the championship’s concluding round. This elevates the UAE’s position as a global hub for motorsport, demonstrating not just our logistical and operational capabilities but also our commitment to bringing diverse motorsport disciplines to the region.
What can fans expect from this year’s WSX finale, and how is it different from last year’s event?
From the moment fans step into Etihad Arena, they’ll feel the excitement of a championship-deciding event. With activities like pit walks, where fans can see the bikes and teams up close, and meet-and-greet sessions with the riders, fans are given unique access to the stars of the sport.
The track design has also been reimagined to make the races even more competitive and thrilling. Being the finale, there’s an added intensity as riders compete for the WSX and SX2 titles. Combined with larger fan zones and entertainment offerings, this year’s event is going to be a step up from last year’s event.
How do you see WSX influencing the growth of motorsport culture in the UAE?
WSX is a game-changer for motorsport culture in the UAE. It introduces a fresh, dynamic element to our calendar and appeals to a younger, more diverse audience. The high-adrenaline nature of supercross, with its sharp turns, steep jumps, and competitive intensity, makes it a sport that draws people in instantly. By hosting WSX, we’re not only entertaining fans but also inspiring them, especially young people who may want to pursue motorsport as a passion or career. This event complements our existing motorsport offerings at Ethara, like Formula 1 and karting, and helps to broaden the UAE’s reputation as a leader in motorsport innovation and development.
How is the WSX finale aligned with your vision for long-term motorsport development in the UAE?
The WSX finale aligns seamlessly with our long-term goals for motorsport in the UAE. Our vision is to create a motorsport ecosystem that is diverse, inclusive, and globally recognized. By bringing a sport like supercross to Abu Dhabi, we’re expanding the range of motorsport disciplines available in the region, inspiring interest from fans and aspiring athletes. Beyond the spectacle, events like WSX foster grassroots engagement by introducing new audiences to the thrill of motorsport and creating pathways for future talent development. The UAE has always been a pioneer in hosting world-class events, and by integrating WSX into our portfolio, we’re reinforcing our position as a hub for innovation, excellence, and community-focused growth in motorsport.
Tom Burwell,
CEO of WSX
How does having the WSX season finale in Abu Dhabi align with your vision for the championship’s global expansion?
Abu Dhabi is the perfect host for the WSX finale because of its commitment to hosting world-class sporting events and its global connectivity. The city offers unmatched infrastructure, a welcoming environment, and a unique ability to bring together fans from across the globe. Partnering with Abu Dhabi helps achieve our vision of making WSX a truly international championship by introducing supercross to new audiences.
How is WSX working to grow supercross as a sport in regions like the Middle East, where it is still relatively new?
By creating exciting, accessible events that introduce the series to new fans. By hosting our finale in Abu Dhabi, we’re showcasing the sport at its highest level, inspiring local interest and encouraging growth in the region. We also work to engage with the community through rider interactions, fan activations, and collaborations with local stakeholders to foster grassroots enthusiasm for the sport.
Do you see WSX becoming a recurring event in Abu Dhabi, and are there plans to expand its presence elsewhere the Middle East?
Abu Dhabi has already proven to be an outstanding partner for WSX, through races in previous seasons thanks to our collaboration with Ethara, a highly esteemed organisation in the region with a proven track record of delivering world-class events like Formula 1. This strong, long-standing relationship gives us great confidence in Abu Dhabi’s ability to host exceptional supercross events year after year. Ethara’s expertise and reputation solidify Abu Dhabi as a cornerstone of our vision for WSX in the Middle East. While we’re eager to expand supercross across the region, Abu Dhabi will remain a central part of our journey as we grow the sport globally.
UFC Star Amir Albazi set to headline stacked card at ADXC 8 in Al-Ain
- The event on Dec. 6 will feature several UAE fighters alongside global talent
AL-AIN: The Abu Dhabi Extreme Championship is set for another night of jiu-jitsu and grappling action when ADXC 8 returns on Dec. 6 at the ADNEC Centre.
Coinciding with UAE National Day celebrations, the event boasts a stacked fight card which includes world-class grappling talent alongside Emirati jiu-jitsu stars.
Ultimate Fighting Championship flyweight No. 3 Amir Albazi headlines, taking on Brazil’s Jafel Filho in a highly anticipated main event. Known for his razor-sharp grappling and cage IQ, Albazi returns to his roots for a showdown that pits his precision against Filho’s explosive submission game.
The co-main event brings grappling fans a heavyweight clash between Brazilian jiu-jitsu icon Roberto “Cyborg” Abreu and rising star Haisam Rida. With a legacy built on multiple championship titles, Cyborg remains one of the sport’s greats. Rida, known for his unpredictable, high-energy approach, aims to prove the next generation is here to take over.
Highlighting the UAE’s growing dominance in jiu-jitsu, Khaled Al-Shehhi faces off against bantamweight specialist Thalison Soares, while Shamma Al-Kalbani, a trailblazer for Emirati women, meets China’s Peiqin Ge in a bantamweight clash. Omar Al-Fadhli, one of the UAE’s brightest talents, will take on Chile’s Nicolas Ponce in a lightweight battle.
Additional matchups on the card include a lightweight contest between grappling stars Movlid Khaybulaev and James Gallagher, a clash of styles in the welterweight division featuring Ahmad Al-Bousari and Craig McIntosh, and a regional showdown in the bantamweight division with Abdulmalik Al-Murdhi taking on Abdullah Al-Farsi.
