Real Madrid winger Vinicius Jr has publicly apologized for his heated reaction after being substituted during Sunday’s intense 2-1 El Clasico victory over Barcelona. The Brazilian star, who played a pivotal role in the winning goal and relentlessly pressured Barcelona’s right-back Jules Koundé, was replaced by compatriot Rodrygo in the 71st minute. Despite his contributions, Vinicius expressed his frustration to manager Xabi Alonso before storming off to the dressing room, marring what should have been a jubilant moment for Real Madrid as they ended a four-game losing streak against their arch-rivals. In a statement shared on his social media accounts, Vinicius apologized to fans, teammates, and club president Florentino Pérez, attributing his outburst to his competitive passion. ‘Sometimes my passion gets the better of me because I always want to win and help my team,’ he explained. Notably, his apology did not mention Alonso, with whom he has had a strained relationship since the manager took charge in May. Vinicius’ substitution has been a recurring theme this season, despite his effective partnership with forward Kylian Mbappé. The match ended in further controversy as Vinicius reemerged during a late-game altercation, arguing with Barcelona players before being escorted away. Real Madrid now lead LaLiga with 27 points, five ahead of second-placed Barcelona.
分类: sports
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Juventus pick Luciano Spalletti as new coach: Italian media
In a significant shake-up, Juventus has reportedly appointed Luciano Spalletti as their new head coach, following the dismissal of Igor Tudor. The decision comes after a dismal performance streak, with the team failing to secure a victory in their last eight matches across all competitions. The Serie A club officially announced Tudor’s departure on Monday, citing the need for a fresh direction.
Italian media outlets revealed on Wednesday that Spalletti, the former Italian national team coach, has been chosen to lead the Turin-based giants. While the club has yet to confirm the appointment officially, reports suggest an announcement could follow the Juventus-Udinese match scheduled for 17:30 GMT on Wednesday.
Spalletti, who recently faced criticism for his underwhelming tenure with the Italian national team, expressed his eagerness to return to coaching. Speaking at an event in Milan on Tuesday, he stated, ‘It would be nice for me to get a new opportunity to get back into the game after that.’ He also emphasized that managing Juventus would be a coveted role for any coach.
The move marks a pivotal moment for Juventus, a club historically synonymous with success but currently grappling with a challenging phase. Fans and analysts alike are keen to see if Spalletti can reignite the team’s fortunes and restore its competitive edge in Serie A and beyond.
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Shanghai Tower Towerrunning Challenge to kick off in Nov
The 2025 Shanghai Tower Towerrunning Challenge is set to take place from November 22 to 23, marking a significant expansion in its history. For the first time, the event will span two days, with the participant quota increased to 3,000, setting a new record in terms of scale. Organized by Shanghai Tower and supported by the Samaranch Sports Development Foundation, the challenge has been a prominent fixture in Shanghai’s sports calendar since its inception in 2017. It is widely regarded as a benchmark event, celebrated for its large scale, high points, and the unique setting of the world’s tallest building.
Juan Antonio Samaranch, vice-president of the International Olympic Committee and the ambassador for the challenge, emphasized the significance of the event in a video message. ‘Shanghai Tower stands as a pinnacle of human urban architecture,’ he stated. ‘Towerrunning epitomizes the ultimate test of will and physical endurance. The fusion of this sport with this iconic building perfectly embodies the timeless theme of striving upward.’
Samaranch further expressed his hopes for the event, saying, ‘May it not only become a shining jewel in the global crown of towerrunning challenges but also serve as a bridge, connecting people from all corners of the world to collectively inherit and promote the undying Olympic spirit of resilience and the pursuit of excellence.’
This year’s event will feature both a full-distance race and a fun run. To further encourage local Chinese athletes, a special award will be offered to national participants, aiming to foster the development of domestic talent. The trophy for this year’s challenge, crafted by the Jingdezhen Ceramic Flagship Store, is engraved with the race’s key markers: ‘3,398 steps, 119 floors, and a vertical height of 552 meters.’
Registration for the event is now open, with participants able to sign up via Shanghai Tower’s official WeChat account and designated partner platforms.
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Australia captain Cummins returns to bowling in buildup to Ashes
Australian cricket captain Pat Cummins has taken a significant step in his recovery from a lower-back injury by resuming bowling practice. Cummins, who was sidelined for the opening Ashes Test in Perth starting November 21, is now eyeing a return for the second Test in Brisbane two weeks later. The 32-year-old fast bowler bowled off a short run-up during a net session at Cricket New South Wales’ training base on Tuesday, under the watchful eyes of coaching staff. Head coach Andrew McDonald indicated that Cummins would require at least four weeks of rehabilitation, effectively ruling him out of any warmup matches before the Gabba Test. In Cummins’s absence, Steve Smith will lead the Australian team in Perth, with Victoria fast bowler Scott Boland likely to fill the void. Australia currently holds the Ashes urn, having retained it after a 2-2 series draw in England in 2023.
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IAME UAE Series Round 2–3 deliver thrilling weekend at Dubai Kartdrome
The IAME UAE Series 2025/2026 season reached new heights during a thrilling double-header weekend at Dubai Kartdrome, hosting Round 2 on October 18 and Round 3 on October 19. The event, marked by scorching temperatures and intense competition, showcased the burgeoning talent of young drivers across multiple categories. Founded in Italy in 1968, IAME has become a global leader in kart engine manufacturing, with its UAE chapter spearheaded by Sheikh Waleed Al Qassimi. As the owner of RAK Track and president of IAME UAE, Sheikh Waleed has been instrumental in fostering a world-class motorsport ecosystem in the region. The weekend’s races were a testament to the sport’s growing popularity, drawing competitors and fans from across the GCC and beyond. Round 3, in particular, delivered nail-biting action across five categories. In the Bambino Class, Sam Testa secured a hard-fought victory, while Baptiste Augustin triumphed in the Mini Category. Leonidas Peruzzi continued his dominance in the Junior Class, and Youif Busenad clinched a dramatic win in the Senior/170 Category. Maximillian Dexter rounded out the weekend with a victory in the Senior Class. Sheikh Waleed Al Qassimi praised the event, highlighting the remarkable progress of karting in the UAE and the bright future ahead. With the Dubai rounds concluded, the championship now heads to Sharjah Kart Track for the next leg of this fiercely competitive season.
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England out of World Cup after South Africa thrashing
In a stunning display of skill and determination, South Africa’s women’s cricket team triumphed over England by 125 runs in the ICC Women’s World Cup semi-final held in Guwahati. This victory marks South Africa’s first-ever entry into a World Cup final in either men’s or women’s cricket. The Proteas posted an imposing total of 319-7, largely thanks to a phenomenal innings by Laura Wolvaardt, who scored 169 runs off 143 balls. Wolvaardt’s masterclass in 50-over batting was complemented by Marizanne Kapp’s sensational bowling performance, where she claimed 5 wickets for just 20 runs. England, chasing a record target in a knockout game, crumbled under pressure, being bowled out for 194 in 42.3 overs. Despite a valiant effort from Nat Sciver-Brunt, who scored 64 runs, England’s top order collapsed early, with three batters dismissed for ducks. South Africa’s comprehensive performance was a testament to their resilience and strategic brilliance, setting up a final clash against either India or Australia. This historic win not only avenges South Africa’s previous semi-final losses to England but also cements their place as a formidable force in women’s cricket.
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Real Madrid to seek compensation from UEFA after court ruling against European body on Super League
In a significant legal development, Real Madrid has announced its intention to seek compensation from UEFA after a Spanish court dismissed appeals filed by the European soccer governing body. The court upheld a previous ruling that found UEFA in breach of EU competition law for blocking plans for the breakaway Super League. The Madrid-based court also dismissed appeals from the Spanish league and the national soccer federation, reinforcing the 2023 decision by the Court of Justice of the European Union, which declared that UEFA and FIFA had abused their market dominance and violated EU law. Real Madrid expressed its satisfaction with the ruling, stating that it confirmed UEFA’s infringement of EU competition rules and its abuse of a dominant position. The club emphasized its commitment to global football and fans while pursuing substantial damages from UEFA. The Spanish league, however, downplayed the ruling’s significance, noting that it did not endorse any specific competition format or the original 2021 Super League project, which had been modified since its initial announcement. The league clarified that the court’s decision focused on procedural aspects, emphasizing the need for transparent and objective authorization systems. Real Madrid did not specify the amount of damages it would seek but highlighted its ongoing discussions with UEFA to address governance, financial sustainability, player health, and fan experience issues. The Super League project, launched in 2021, faced widespread fan protests and quickly collapsed, but the legal battle continues to shape the future of European football governance.
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Holders Nigeria lead qualifiers for 2026 Wafcon
Malawi and Cape Verde have secured their first-ever appearances at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) after impressive performances in the qualifying rounds. Malawi’s national team, known as the Scorchers, triumphed over Angola with a 2-0 aggregate victory, thanks to midfielder Faith Chinzimu’s decisive goals in the second leg. Cape Verde staged a remarkable comeback against Mali, overturning a first-leg deficit to win 4-3 on aggregate. This achievement marks a significant milestone for both nations, particularly for Cape Verde, whose men’s team recently qualified for the World Cup. Reigning champions Nigeria also advanced, defending their title after a 3-1 aggregate win against Benin. Other teams, including Kenya, Burkina Faso, and South Africa, have also secured their spots in the tournament. With the expansion of Wafcon from 12 to 16 teams, the competition promises greater exposure for emerging football nations. The final four spots will be determined from the 11 losing teams of the second round, as per the Confederation of African Football’s (Caf) decision. The tournament, hosted by Morocco, is tentatively scheduled for March 17 to April 3, 2026.
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Macao’s 50 torchbearers to relay in anticipation of National Games
Macao is gearing up for a momentous occasion as 50 torchbearers from diverse sectors of society prepare to participate in the torch relay for China’s 15th National Games. The event, announced by the preparatory office of the Macao events, will take place on the Macao Peninsula, covering a distance of approximately 2.6 kilometers. The relay will commence at 9:30 am on Sunday at the headquarters of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) government and conclude at the iconic Ruins of St. Paul’s, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This historic relay marks a significant milestone in the lead-up to the National Games, which will be jointly hosted by Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao from November 9 to 21. Additionally, the 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities and the 9th National Special Olympic Games are scheduled to be held from December 8 to 15, further highlighting the inclusive spirit of the event. The torch relay not only symbolizes the unity and cooperation among the hosting regions but also serves as a prelude to the grand sporting spectacle that will showcase the nation’s athletic prowess and cultural heritage.
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Australia wins the toss and sends India in to bat in Twenty20 series opener at Canberra
In a strategic move to assess form and readiness for the upcoming T20 World Cup, Australian captain Mitch Marsh elected to field first after winning the toss in the series-opening Twenty20 international against India on Wednesday. The match, held in Australia, marks the beginning of a five-game series designed to help both teams fine-tune their strategies in the shortest format of international cricket before transitioning back to test matches.
