Messi scores 10th hat trick as Argentina wins World Cup qualifier

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. (REUTERS)
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Updated 22 October 2024
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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

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.


’Lucky loser’ Lys makes history to reach Australian Open last 16

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’Lucky loser’ Lys makes history to reach Australian Open last 16

  • Eva Lys called it “an insane story” and life-changing after the German made history on Saturday by reaching the last 16 and a date with Iga Swiatek
MELBOURNE: Eva Lys called it “an insane story” and life-changing after the German made history on Saturday by reaching the last 16 and a date with Iga Swiatek.
The 128th-ranked Lys fought back from a set down to become the first women’s singles “lucky loser” to reach the fourth round since the event moved to Melbourne Park in 1988.
The 23-year-old defeated Jaqueline Cristian of Romania 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 and faces a daunting clash with the second seed and five-time Grand Slam champion on Monday.
A tennis tournament lucky loser is a player who does not get through qualifying for the main draw but is later awarded a berth following another player’s withdrawal, usually because of illness or injury.
“It definitely doesn’t feel real for me right now,” said Ukraine-born Lys, who had her flight booked and bags packed before getting a reprieve.
“I don’t know when the realization will kick in. It’s definitely just an amazing situation to be in, especially knowing that I was a lucky loser.”
It has been a whirlwind few days for Lys.
She lost in the final round of qualifying in Melbourne last week, her hopes of making the first major of the year seemingly over.
But she hung about in case another player would drop out and 13th seed Anna Kalinskaya did just that on Tuesday, giving Lys a lifeline.
She said she had just 10 minutes’ warning before defeating home player Kimberly Birrell in straight sets in the first round, then beat Varvara Gracheva of France.
“It’s definitely an insane story,” said Lys, who is enjoying easily her best run at a major and will need to reschedule her flight again — she had booked it for Sunday.
“How it happened, how fast it happened. It’s been just a couple of days that have totally changed my life,” she added.

Swiatek destroys Raducanu as Sinner steps up Melbourne defense

Updated 18 January 2025
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Swiatek destroys Raducanu as Sinner steps up Melbourne defense

  • Iga Swiatek romps to a 6-1, 6-0 triumph in a statement victory as she pursues a first Melbourne crown
  • Swiatek is a five-time major winner but she has never gone beyond the semifinals at Melbourne Park

MELBOURNE: Iga Swiatek demolished Emma Raducanu on Saturday to sweep into the last 16 of the Australian Open, where Jannik Sinner will later step up his title defense and young tyro Learner Tien is also in action.
In a one-sided battle of former US Open champions, Swiatek romped to a 6-1, 6-0 triumph in a statement victory as she pursues a first Melbourne crown.
Emma Navarro, the eighth seed from the United States, joined the Pole in the second week of the first Grand Slam of the year with a gritty three-set win over Ons Jabeur. Sixth seed Elena Rybakina also advanced.
“I felt like the ball is listening to me,” Swiatek said after rattling off 11 straight games in a brutal display against Britain’s Raducanu on Rod Laver Arena.
The 23-year-old Swiatek is a five-time major winner but she has never gone beyond the semifinals at Melbourne Park.
She faces “lucky loser” Eva Lys next.
“I feel much more fresh than for the past two years,” said Swiatek.
“The last two years I felt much more fatigue and also a bit more stress.”
Swiatek will be a massive favorite when she faces Germany’s Lys.
The 128th-ranked Lys defeated Jaqueline Cristian of Romania in three sets to become the first women’s singles “lucky loser” to reach the fourth round since the event moved to Melbourne Park in 1988.
Navarro credited her billionaire father for teaching her “toughness” as she clawed through 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 against three-time Slam finalist Jabeur.
Navarro has become a three-set specialist with no WTA player playing through more since the beginning of 2024, with the American 23-9 over the distance since then.
Daughter of billionaire businessman Ben Navarro, founder of the Sherman Financial Group, she praised her dad, who was courtside, for her stamina.
She recalled how he would take her and her siblings on six-hour bike rides when they were kids.
“We made up a term — biking and crying,” Navarro, 23, said.
“I learned a lot of toughness growing up. A lot of thanks goes to him.”
Also on day seven, former Wimbledon champion Rybakina of Kazakhstan needed a medical timeout to treat a back spasm before winning 6-3, 6-4 against Dayana Yastremska of Ukraine.
World number four Jasmine Paolini, who reached two Slam finals last year, faces another Ukrainian in Elina Svitolina later.
American Danielle Collins, who has become the pantomime villain after thanking hecklers for “paying my bills,” is also in action.
The world number 11, runner-up in the 2022 Australian Open final to Ash Barty, gets another chance to wind up the Australians in the crowd when she faces fellow American Madison Keys.
Italian world number one and defending champion Sinner faces American Marcos Giron as he seeks a berth in the last 16 in an evening match on Rod Laver Arena.
Sinner could meet 13th seed Holger Rune in the fourth round if the Dane gets past Serbia’s Miomir Kecmanovic.
There will be intense interest in 19-year-old qualifier Tien, who stunned three-time runner-up Daniil Medvedev in a five-set epic.
The youngster wolfed down a pepperoni pizza in celebration following his 4hr 48min marathon against Medvedev that finished at nearly 3:00am on Friday.
He will need to recover fast for the challenge of 69th-ranked Corentin Moutet of France.
Tien’s victory over Medvedev saw him become the second youngest American man in the Open Era to reach the third round in Melbourne — behind only 14-time Grand Slam winner Pete Sampras in 1990.
Fourth seed Taylor Fritz faces timeless French veteran Gael Monfils and remaining home hope Alex de Minaur takes on Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo.


Ikmah, Richard Mille face off for Richard Mille Desert Polo Final in AlUla

Updated 17 January 2025
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Ikmah, Richard Mille face off for Richard Mille Desert Polo Final in AlUla

  • Ikmah showed their real strength and dominance of Group 1 after two victories against Dadan 4-2 and AlUla team 5-4
  • Richard Mille topped Group 2 after defeating Budget 3-0 and drawing 2-2 with Bentley

ALULA: Ikmah and Richard Mille have qualified to the final of the Richard Mille Desert Polo Championship 2025, and will face off in the final showdown that AlUla’s Al Fursan Village hosts on Saturday.
The fourth edition of the prestigious competition’s finale takes place at 4 p.m. Saudi time.
Ikmah showed their real strength and dominance of Group 1 after two victories against Dadan 4-2 and AlUla team 5-4.
Meanwhile, Richard Mille topped Group 2 after defeating Budget 3-0 and drawing 2-2 with Bentley.
The tournament’s Friday matches saw intense competition in the presence of distinguished figures, including Piero Dillier, president of the International Polo Federation, Amr Zidan, president of the Saudi Polo Federation, and Ziyad Al-Suhaibani, head of sports at the Royal Commission for AlUla.
Meanwhile, AlUla battles against Bentley for third place, and Dadan faces Budget to determine the fifth and sixth positions before the final.
Speaking about the event’s significance, Faisal bin Duwies, the Saudi Polo Federation’s CEO,” expressed pride in Saudi Arabia’s growing influence in the global sports arena.
“We take pride in seeing the Kingdom lead the global sports scene through prestigious championships.”
He emphasized the tournament’s role in fostering talent, highlighting the participation of polo legends from around the world, which enriches the experience for all competing players.
As anticipation builds, the final promises to be a thrilling display of skill and strategy, further cementing Saudi Arabia’s position as a premier destination for world-class polo.
The championship is being organized in coordination with the Royal Commission for AlUla.


Avishka Fernando’s record-breaking knock leads Sharjah Warriorz to victory in ILT20

Updated 17 January 2025
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Avishka Fernando’s record-breaking knock leads Sharjah Warriorz to victory in ILT20

  • He smashes the fastest 50 in tournament history, reaching the milestone in just 16 balls on his way to a total of 81 from 27 balls
  • Dubai Capitals set a daunting target of 202, led by Shai Hope’s 83 off 49 balls, but the Warriorz bats let loose to reach it in only 18.1 overs

DUBAI: Avishka Fernando produced a stunning display of power-hitting to guide the Sharjah Warriorz to a thrilling five-wicket victory over the Dubai Capitals in the DP World International League T20 on Friday.

Fernando smashed the fastest half-century in the tournament’s history, reaching the milestone in just 16 balls, as the Warriorz chased a daunting target of 202 at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. His explosive 81 off 27 balls, featuring eight sixes and six fours, anchored the chase, which was completed in 18.1 overs.

“I wanted to play my natural game and I thank God for how things turned out, he said. “The wicket was great to bat on, and when they scored 200 I knew I had to play positively. It came naturally, and I’m grateful for that.

“I didn’t realize I had broken the record for the fastest 50 but I’m happy with the performance.”

The Capitals had posted an imposing 201/5, led by Shai Hope’s 83 off 49 balls. Captain Sikandar Raza praised his team’s batting but acknowledged the challenge created by late-game conditions.

“I thought it was a very good total. You don’t usually see 202 in Sharjah, so I was pretty confident it was a strong score, and we should have been able to win the game.

“Shai has been a fantastic addition to the team and hopefully the other players around him step up as well. The wicket got better later and the dew made it tougher. The cutters weren’t holding in the wicket either. Our fielding could have been better and Avishka played brilliantly.”

Johnson Charles (37 runs off 19 balls) and Jason Roy (26 off 21) provided the Warriorz with a strong start, while Luke Wells helped complete the job with a composed 31 not out from 17 balls.

The Capitals’ bowlers struggled under the batting onslaught, with Gulbadin Naib conceding 27 runs in a single over, the most in the tournament’s history.

The victory highlighted the strength of the Warriorz, in particular their explosive batting lineup, with Fernando’s heroics setting the tone for what already promises to be an exciting season of cricket.


Frankfurt drop Marmoush against Dortmund, confirm Man City talks

Updated 17 January 2025
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Frankfurt drop Marmoush against Dortmund, confirm Man City talks

  • Marmoush has been heavily linked with a winter move to City after a stellar first half of the season.
  • The 25-year-old has scored 15 goals in 17 league games

BERLIN: Eintracht Frankfurt on Friday left forward Omar Marmoush out of their matchday squad for the home clash with Borussia Dortmund due to “transfer talks” with Manchester City.
Marmoush has been heavily linked with a winter move to City after a stellar first half of the season.
The 25-year-old has scored 15 goals in 17 league games, one fewer than leader Harry Kane, and laid on 10 assists.
“Eintracht Frankfurt is currently in talks with another club for the transfer of Omar Marmoush. The player is therefore not part of the team today,” the club wrote on social media just hours before the Dortmund clash.


Speaking with DAZN before the game, Frankfurt sporting director Markus Kroesche confirmed Marmoush was set “to leave us in the direction of Manchester City.”
“It looks like Omar will be leaving us and that’s why he’s not in the squad.
“We’ve been in regular discussions with Manchester City for the past few days.”
The Egyptian arrived in Frankfurt on a free transfer from Wolfsburg in the summer of 2023.
German and international media reported the struggling English champions, who sit 12 points behind leaders Liverpool in the Premier League, are set to pay up to 80 million euros ($82 million) for Marmoush.