MIAMI: Real Madrid labored to a 1-1 Club World Cup draw against a spirited Al-Hilal in searing heat on Wednesday as Xabi Alonso’s managerial debut for the 15-time European champions delivered flashes of promise but ultimately felt like an exhibition match.
Gonzalo Garcia, stepping in for the fever-stricken Kylian Mbappe, gave Real an early lead with a composed finish, but Ruben Neves levelled from the spot before halftime as Simone Inzaghi’s men showed defensive grit and enough attacking intent to rattle their illustrious opponents.
A last-gasp missed penalty from Federico Valverde summed up a day when Real’s legs, and ideas, wilted in the heat and humidity at a nearly sold-out Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
RB Salzburg and Pachuca meet in the other Group H fixture later on Wednesday. Real will next face the Mexican side on Sunday, while Al-Hilal will take on Salzburg in what could prove a decisive clash for qualification to the knockout stage.
With Mbappe ruled out, it was the 21-year-old Garcia who led the line for Real and he did not disappoint, while new signing Trent Alexander-Arnold was nowhere near the level that persuaded the Spanish club to lure him from Liverpool.
It was Al-Hilal, however, who burst out of the blocks, swarming around the Real penalty area with early intent — though their finishing let them down at crucial moments.
In the 29th minute, Salem Al-Dawsari nearly produced a moment of magic, weaving his way into the box before Aurelien Tchouameni slid in with a crucial interception to steer the ball behind.
The Saudi side thought they had taken the lead shortly after, only for their celebrations to be cut short by an offside flag.
Despite the heat — and with the cheapest tickets in the stadium selling for over $160 while premium seats soared beyond $950 — a vibrant crowd kept the energy high.
A much-needed 30th-minute cooling break gave Real a chance to regroup, with players draping towels over their shoulders and gulping down rehydrating drinks in the sweltering heat. The short pause worked wonders.
Four minutes later, Real struck. A slick team move carved open the Al-Hilal defense, and Garcia showed composure beyond his years, delicately lifting the ball over Yassine Bounou after being teed up by Rodrygo.
But Al-Hilal refused to wilt. They drew level four minutes before halftime when Ruben Neves calmly slotted home a penalty after Raul Asencio pulled back Marcos Leonardo in the area.
On the stroke of halftime, Al-Dawsari went close again, firing narrowly wide after latching onto a clever pass from Sergej Milinkovic-Savic to cap another flowing Al-Hilal attack.
Real stepped up a gear after the restart with substitute Arda Guler’s shot crashing against the bar before Bounou made a stunning reaction save to deny Garcia.
A second cooling break in the 68th minute did not refresh Real and although they continued to dominate, the Al-Hilal defense held firm.
Real were awarded a penalty after a VAR review when Mohammed Al-Qahtani’s flailing arm caught Fran Garcia in the last minute, only for Valverde’s soft spot kick to be saved by Bounou.
Real Madrid wilt in Miami heat as Al-Hilal spoil Alonso’s debut
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Real Madrid wilt in Miami heat as Al-Hilal spoil Alonso’s debut
- A much-needed 30th-minute cooling break gave Real a chance to regroup, with players draping towels over their shoulders and gulping down rehydrating drinks in the sweltering heat
Cricket’s Indian Premier League value surges to $18.5 billion — report
- World’s richest cricket series top revenue earner for BCCI, generates estimated $11 billion a year for Indian economy
- Indian Premier League’s brand value jumps 13.8 percent to $3.9 billion in past year, global investment bank Houlihan Lokey says
NEW DELHI: The Indian Premier League’s business value has been estimated at $18.5 billion with reigning champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru its wealthiest franchise, according to a report by an investment bank.
The world’s richest cricket tournament has been a top revenue earner for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and in 2020 was estimated to generate more than $11 billion a year for the Indian economy.
According to US investment bank Houlihan Lokey, which has valued several sports franchises around the world, the brand value of the 10-team T20 franchise tournament has seen a sharp rise of 13.8 percent to $3.9 billion over the past year.
Bengaluru, who along with star player Virat Kohli won their first IPL title this year, have overtaken five-time winners Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians to achieve a brand value of $269 million.
Mumbai is second with $242 million, followed by Chennai at $235 million.
The Houlihan Lokey report called the IPL “a global phenomenon” that has become more than just a cricket league.
“The IPL continues to set benchmarks in sports business. Franchise valuations have soared, media rights deals have reached record highs, and brand partnerships have diversified across sectors,” Harsh Talikoti from Houlihan Lokey, said in a statement.
“The league’s ability to attract global investors and sponsors reflects its status as a premier sports property with enduring appeal.”
Bengaluru beat Punjab Kings for the title at the world’s biggest cricket stadium in Ahmedabad in June to conclude the 18th edition of the league.
The report said the 2025 final had more than 678 million views on the official streaming platform JioHotstar, surpassing the India-Pakistan clash during the Champions Trophy in February this year.
The IPL, which is broadcast around the world and features top international stars such as Australia’s Pat Cummins and England’s Jos Buttler, mixes sport and showbusiness in a glitzy format, with a number of teams fronted by Bollywood movie superstars.
Since it launched in 2008, it has inspired a range of other franchise-based leagues in India in sports as diverse as boxing, badminton, poker and kabaddi, and spawned copycat cricket tournaments elsewhere.
‘Nobody has bigger expectations than I do’: New coach Mike Brown leads Knicks into new era
- The New York Knicks are set to face the Philadelphia 76ers in Abu Dhabi as preseason games offer early test for Brown’s title-chasing team
DUBAI: The New York Knicks have officially appointed Mike Brown as their new head coach, marking a fresh chapter for one of the NBA’s most storied franchises. A two-time NBA Coach of the Year with deep playoff experience, Brown brings leadership, structure, and a championship pedigree to New York.
The appointment was confirmed this week, with Knicks President Leon Rose commenting: “Mike has coached on the biggest stages in our sport and brings championship pedigree to our organization.”
The Knicks will face the Philadelphia 76ers in two NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2025 preseason matchups on Oct. 2 and 4. The NBA and the Department of Culture and Tourism — Abu Dhabi announced that the games, presented by ADQ, will take place at Yas Island’s Etihad Arena. While Abu Dhabi has hosted NBA preseason action since 2022, this will be New York’s first appearance in Abu Dhabi.
Brown takes charge following the Knicks’ strongest season in decades. Under Tom Thibodeau, the team reached the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2000, reigniting hopes of a return to championship contention. Still, the front office felt a fresh voice was needed to elevate the team further.
Speaking on his appointment, Brown said: “Nobody has bigger expectations, first of all, than I do. My expectations are high. This is the Knicks. I talked about Madison Square Garden being iconic. I talked about our fans. I love and embrace the expectations that come along with it. I’m looking forward to it.”
A seasoned veteran, Brown has coached an elite roster of talent throughout his career. As head coach, he worked with NBA legends LeBron James and Kobe Bryant, and as an assistant, he coached NBA all-time greats, including Stephen Curry and Tim Duncan. He led the Cleveland Cavaliers to the 2007 NBA Finals, won four NBA championships as an assistant, and earned Coach of the Year honors in both 2009 and 2023.
Now, he takes over a Knicks team brimming with championship aspirations, aiming to capture their first title since 1973. Leading the charge are two-time All-Star Jalen Brunson, five-time All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns, and 2022 NBA All-Defensive First Team member Mikal Bridges.
“Our goal is to build a sustainable, winning culture that produces championships,” Brown said. “That’s why I’m here.”
The 76ers, their Abu Dhabi opponents, boast a powerful roster that includes 2023 NBA MVP Joel Embiid, nine-time All-Star Paul George, and 2024 All-Star Tyrese Maxey. These NBA Abu Dhabi Games present a valuable opportunity for Brown to build chemistry, test rotations, and get the roster in sync ahead of the regular season.
Big adrenalin’ propels Pogacar to Tour de France stage and 100th career win
- It was the 26-year-old Slovenian’s 18th Tour de France stage win as he seeks a fourth overall triumph on the Tour
- Van der Poel took the overall lead on stage two but risks losing it on Wednesday’s time trial
ROUEN, France: Tadej Pogacar blew past his rivals in an “explosive” finish to take Tour de France stage four at Rouen on Tuesday and claim his 100th professional victory.
“That was really pure, classic Tour-de-France-style explosive,” said an elated Pogacar.
The win did not quite bring him the overall lead. Dutch powerhouse Mathieu van der Poel finished second to keep the yellow jersey.
Pogacar attacked on an incline to the line to finish just ahead of Van der Poel with Jonas Vingegaard third.
It was the 26-year-old Slovenian’s 18th Tour de France stage win as he seeks a fourth overall triumph on the Tour.
“There was big adrenalin and a big field of contenders,” Pogacar said.
Fans were treated to another Pogacar-Vingegaard head-to-head duel as five hills made the final 40km a roller-coaster.
Van der Poel also entered the fray and kept the overall lead he took from Alpecin teammate Jasper Philipsen, who quit the Tour injured after a nasty fall on Monday.
“Jasper needs to recover, and I hope he understands how hard I tried to win for him today,” Van der Poel said.
On the day’s final real climb, Pogacar dropped all his rivals with only Vingegaard offering a real fight.
But the big Dutch rider and the slender Dane both came back at Pogacar, making him fight all the way to the line in a thunderous finale.
The same trio top the overall standings, with Pogacar second and Vingegaard in third.
Van der Poel took the overall lead on stage two but risks losing it on Wednesday’s time trial.
“I should be happy to have the jersey again,” said Van der Poel. “I was surrounded by climbers out there you know.”
“Tadej was stronger and it’s as simple as that.”
Unlike the opening three stages, there was hardly a puff of wind and not a drop of rain, but there were still plenty of falls.
There was also a knifing incident with a man at Rouen slightly injuring a police officer before himself being shot as he tried to escape.
Neither the police officer nor the alleged culprit suffered life-threatening injuries.
Stage five will shake up the overall standings with a 33km individual time trial around Caen.
The stage is being billed as the day Remco Evenepoel will finally slip into the overall leader’s yellow jersey.
To do so the 25-year-old Belgian world and Olympic champion in the discipline will need to cover the course 59sec faster than Pogacar and Vingegaard.
“Tomorrow (Wednesday) will be the big day, the real test of how good everyone is,” said Pogacar.
“Don’t count Remco out,” he added. “He’s the best in the world and he’ll be going full gas, like me.”
The man who designs the race, Thierry Gouvenou, predicted big time differences on the time trial.
“It’s flat and runs through exposed plains. This is a course designed for the specialists. You need to be aerodynamic and powerful,” he said, which suggests it could suit Evenepoel in particular.
“This is a red letter day for all the main contenders.”
Rarely lacking in confidence, Evenepoel was true to form.
“I can put a minute into them all tomorrow,” he said in Rouen after the fourth stage.
The first mountains come as late as stage 10 over the volcanic landscape of the Puy de Dome, with two more colossal climbing days in the Pyrenees before the blockbuster final week in the Alps.
Sweden reach Euro 2025 knockouts with 3-0 win over Poland
- The win also guaranteed Germany’s berth in the last eight after they beat Denmark
- Germany and Sweden occupy the top two spots in Group C on six points and meet in Zurich on Saturday to decide who will win the group
LUCERNE: Sweden captain Kosovare Asllani scored one goal and made another as her side cruised into the knockout stages of the women’s European Championship with a 3-0 win over Poland on Tuesday that eliminated the Poles.
The win also guaranteed Germany’s berth in the last eight after they beat Denmark earlier on Tuesday, with the Danes joining Poland in exiting the competition after both lost their opening two matches.
Germany and Sweden occupy the top two spots in Group C on six points and meet in Zurich on Saturday to decide who will win the group after Sweden’s aerial bombardment from the wings proved too much for the Polish defense.
Asllani and Madelen Janogy both hit the woodwork with early headers before striker Stina Blackstenius nodded home a cross from her captain in the 28th minute to break the deadlock.
The Swedes were well aware of the threat posed by Poland captain Ewa Pajor and kept her well-shackled for much of the game.
On the few occasions she did get the ball, the Polish fans rose to their feet in anticipation, but the Sweden defense was quick to snuff out any danger.
Playing in her 201st senior international, Asllani made no mistake in the 52nd minute as she ghosted through the middle before burying Johanna Rytting Kaneryd’s cross past Kinga Szemik.
Blackstenius wasted a number of good chances to add to her tally as Sweden’s aerial attack continued, and substitute Lina Hurtig added their third goal with yet another header, this time from a corner, to round out the scoring in the 77th minute.
The closest the Poles came to scoring was in stoppage time when Ewelina Kamczyk fired a long-distance shot that smacked off the far post, but the Swedes were never threatened as they secured their spot in the quarter-finals.
“Great to win by 3-0, Poland are a tough opponent. We were determined and aggressive and it feels like it was exciting. Great to score goals,” Asllani said before sending a warning to Sweden’s German rivals ahead of Saturday’s showdown.
“We just wanted to win and score as many goals as possible. We want to win against Germany, we don’t want a draw. It’s been a dream start, but we’re focusing on the next one now,” she said.
India look to maintain momentum against faltering England in third Test
- Shubman Gill has enjoyed a stunning start to his reign as India captain, with a remarkable 585 runs in his first two Tests as skipper
- So prolific has Gill been, he could now threaten Australia great Donald Bradman’s record of 974 runs in a single Test series
LONDON: An in-form India will continue their quest for just a fourth series win in England when the third Test at Lord’s starts on Thursday.
India levelled this five-match campaign at 1-1 with a 336-run rout of England in last week’s second Test at Edgbaston.
Here are several key talking points ahead of what promises to be a fascinating encounter:
Shubman Gill has enjoyed a stunning start to his reign as India captain, with a remarkable 585 runs in his first two Tests as skipper after replacing the retired Rohit Sharma.
At Edgbaston, thanks to innings of 269 and 161, the admirably composed and elegant Gill became the first batsman in Test cricket to make scores of 250 and 150 in the same match.
So prolific has Gill been, he could now threaten Australia great Donald Bradman’s record of 974 runs in a single Test series, after the 25-year-old also made 147 in India’s five-wicket defeat in the opener at Headingley.
“You’ve got got to give your opposition credit when it’s due and for him to bang out as many runs as he has done in this game has been pretty special,” said England captain Ben Stokes.
One encouraging thought for Stokes, however, as he ponders how to get the better of Gill, is that Bradman’s mark has stood for 95 years.
Many batsmen have made blistering starts, only for the runs to dry up later on.
South Africa’s Graeme Smith started his captaincy reign with back-to-back double hundreds in England, at Edgbaston and Lord’s, in 2003.
Opening batsman Smith, however, managed just 93 more runs in the remaining three Tests of that series.
It has been over four years since fast bowler Jofra Archer last played a Test but the injury-blighted express quick now appears set to return at Lord’s, where in 2019 he marked his debut by felling Australia’s Steve Smith with a fearsome bouncer.
Doubts remain over whether Archer can be the bowler he once was after such a lengthy lay-off.
But England coach Brendon McCullum said: “He’s obviously been through his injuries and his time out of Test cricket, but we all know what he’s capable of achieving and we hope that when the opportunity does arrive for him, he’s able to recapture and improve on what he’s been able to do already.”
Archer at his best would certainly give England a much-needed cutting edge.
Chris Woakes has taken just three wickets at a hugely expensive average of nearly 97 apiece so far this series, despite being given the new ball.
England great Geoffrey Boycott suggested the 36-year-old was now “past his sell-by date” but all-rounder Woakes has a fine record at Lord’s, with 32 wickets in seven Tests at a miserly average of 12.90, as well as a batting average of 42.50.
Akash Deep proved a more than capable stand-in with a 10-wicket haul in Birmingham — a return that will surely see him keep his place— but it is hard to see how India can be anything but stronger with a refreshed Jasprit Bumrah in their side after resting the world’s top-ranked Test bowler at Edgbaston.
“He (Bumrah) jogs in, you will be thinking ‘this will be 70 miles an hour’ and it hits you at 90,” former England paceman Stuart Broad told his ‘For the Love of Cricket’ podcast.
Overseas players often raise their game at Lord’s and Bumrah is unlikely to be an exception as the 31-year-old fast bowler bids to gain a coveted place on the dressing room honors board for the first time in his career.
