分类： sports

South Africa is on the verge of securing its first Test series win in India in 25 years after dominating the fourth day of the second Test in Guwahati. The Proteas set a formidable target of 549 runs for India, who stumbled to 27-2 by the close of play. India, dismissed for a mere 201 in their first innings, now face the daunting task of batting through the final day to avoid a series whitewash. This would mark their second home series defeat in three attempts, following a 3-0 loss to New Zealand last October. South Africa’s strong position was bolstered by Tristan Stubbs, who top-scored with 94 runs, forming crucial partnerships with Tony de Zorzi and Wiaan Mulder to extend their lead beyond 500. Despite falling short of a century, Stubbs’ performance was pivotal in South Africa’s declaration. India’s reply faltered early as Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul fell cheaply, leaving Kuldeep Yadav and Sai Sudharsan to resume the chase on the final day. South Africa’s dominance in this series, including their 30-run victory in the first Test in Kolkata, underscores their resurgence in Test cricket.

Barcelona’s financial challenges have forced the club to rely heavily on its famed La Masia academy, and one of its brightest graduates, Fermin Lopez, is making waves. While Lamine Yamal, often compared to Lionel Messi, garners much of the attention, Lopez has emerged as a crucial figure in Hansi Flick’s squad. The 22-year-old midfielder, who joined Barcelona at 13, has become a regular starter and a key goal threat. Chelsea, who had a €40 million bid rejected last summer, are well aware of his talent. As Barcelona prepares to face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the Champions League, Lopez’s performance could reignite interest from the London club. Lopez’s journey to prominence began under Xavi Hernandez, who integrated him into the first team during the 2023 pre-season. His standout moment came in a friendly against Real Madrid, where he scored and secured his place in the squad. Last season, Lopez made 46 appearances, contributing to Barcelona’s domestic treble, often as a substitute. This season, he has taken a significant leap forward, outperforming Dani Olmo in the number 10 role and becoming Flick’s preferred option in midfield, especially with Gavi sidelined due to injury. Lopez’s dynamic playing style, characterized by relentless energy, pressing, and goal-scoring ability, has earned him praise from Flick, who described him as “complete” and “dynamic.” With seven goals and four assists in 12 appearances this season, including a hat-trick against Olympiakos, Lopez has proven his worth. His recent performance in Barcelona’s 4-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao, where he scored on his 100th appearance, further solidified his importance. As Barcelona faces Chelsea, Lopez’s ability to shine on the big stage could not only boost his team’s chances but also increase his market value, potentially tempting Chelsea to make another move for the rising star.

South Africa’s towering pace spearhead Marco Jansen delivered a stellar performance, claiming six wickets to edge his team closer to a historic Test series victory in India. On day three of the second Test in Guwahati, Jansen’s figures of 6-48 dismantled India’s first innings, restricting them to 201 in response to South Africa’s commanding 489. Despite a 288-run deficit, the tourists opted not to enforce the follow-on, choosing instead to bat again and extend their lead. At stumps, South Africa were 26-0, with Ryan Rickelton (13) and Aiden Markram (12) at the crease, pushing their overall lead to 314. Jansen’s brilliance, coupled with disciplined bowling from the spinners, left India reeling. Yashasvi Jaiswal’s 58 and a resilient 72-run partnership between Washington Sundar (48) and Kuldeep Yadav (19) offered brief resistance, but India’s batting crumbled under pressure. South Africa, having won the first Test in Kolkata, are now on the verge of their first Test series win in India since 2000. The hosts, meanwhile, face mounting scrutiny after their fourth defeat in six home Tests.

In a dramatic Premier League encounter, 10-man Everton secured a surprising 1-0 victory against Manchester United at Old Trafford, despite Idrissa Gueye’s controversial red card for striking teammate Michael Keane. The incident occurred in the 13th minute when Gueye and Keane engaged in a heated argument, culminating in Gueye slapping Keane in the face. Referee Tony Harrington immediately showed Gueye a straight red card for violent conduct, a decision upheld by VAR. Everton manager David Moyes expressed a peculiar approval of the altercation, stating he ‘quite likes’ when his players show such intensity, attributing it to the team’s resilience. Gueye later apologized on social media, taking full responsibility for his actions and vowing to ensure such behavior never recurs. Despite being a man down, Everton clinched the win with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s 29th-minute goal, marking Moyes’ first victory at Old Trafford as a visiting manager in 18 attempts. The match also reignited discussions about teammate conflicts in football, with pundits and fans debating the severity of Gueye’s punishment. This rare incident joins the likes of Lee Bowyer and Kieron Dyer’s infamous 2005 clash, highlighting the emotional volatility in high-stakes matches.

Italy achieved a remarkable feat in the world of tennis by securing their third consecutive Davis Cup title, defeating Spain 2-0 in a thrilling final held in Bologna. The victory was particularly notable as the Italian team managed to retain their crown without the presence of their star player, Jannik Sinner, and other top-ranked athletes. The match saw Flavio Cobolli deliver a stunning comeback against Jaume Munar, winning 1-6, 7-6 (7/5), 7-5, which ignited jubilant celebrations among the home crowd. Earlier, Matteo Berrettini had set the tone with a decisive 6-3, 6-4 victory over Pablo Carreno Busta, ensuring Italy’s dominance throughout the tournament. The Italian team’s unity and depth were on full display, as they triumphed without needing to play the doubles match. Spain, despite missing their top player Carlos Alcaraz due to injury, put up a valiant effort but fell short in their quest for a seventh Davis Cup title. The International Tennis Federation also addressed concerns about top players skipping the competition, emphasizing the participation of many high-ranked athletes in earlier rounds. Italy’s historic hat trick cements their status as a powerhouse in international tennis.