分类： sports

Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham emerged as the savior in a thrilling 2-2 draw against Elche on Sunday, securing a crucial point that kept Madrid atop La Liga by a narrow margin. Despite the late equalizer, manager Xabi Alonso expressed frustration over dropped points, acknowledging the team’s struggles against a resilient mid-table opponent. The match saw Madrid twice come from behind, with Bellingham’s close-range finish in the dying minutes ensuring a share of the spoils. Meanwhile, second-place Barcelona narrowed the gap at the top with a dominant 4-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao, intensifying the title race. Alonso’s tactical decisions, including starting Rodrygo Goes and Trent Alexander-Arnold, drew attention, though the latter’s defensive lapse contributed to Elche’s opening goal. Elche, buoyed by their recent strong performances, tested Madrid throughout the match, with goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois making key saves. The game was not without controversy, as Elche’s coach Eder Sarabia criticized a collision involving Vinicius Junior and goalkeeper Inaki Pena, which preceded Bellingham’s equalizer. Despite the draw, Madrid’s resilience and Bellingham’s clutch performance underscored their determination to maintain their league lead.

In a match that will be remembered for its sheer brilliance, Cristiano Ronaldo delivered a moment of magic as Al Nassr secured their ninth consecutive victory in the Saudi Pro League 2025/26 season. Facing Al-Khaleej at Al-Awwal Park on Sunday, Ronaldo’s jaw-dropping bicycle kick in the dying moments of the game capped off a dominant 4-1 win for his team. The goal, reminiscent of his iconic strike against Juventus in 2017, served as a testament to the Portuguese superstar’s enduring class, even at the age of 40. The stadium erupted in awe as Ronaldo soared unnaturally high to execute the acrobatic finish, leaving fans and opponents alike in disbelief. Social media platforms were ablaze with praise, with fans hailing Ronaldo as the ‘Greatest of All Time.’ Al Nassr’s official account summed it up perfectly: ‘Call it skill, call it instinct… we call it Ronaldo.’ The match began with Joao Felix opening the scoring in the 39th minute, followed by Wesley doubling the lead just three minutes later. Al-Khaleej briefly rallied with a goal from Murad Al Hawsawi in the 47th minute, but Sadio Mane restored Al Nassr’s two-goal advantage with a lobbed curler in the 77th minute. Ronaldo’s breathtaking goal in stoppage time sealed the victory, taking his league goal tally to 10 and solidifying Al Nassr’s position at the top of the table. With 30 goals in nine matches, Al Nassr continues to dominate the league, while Al-Khaleej remains in sixth place with 14 points. Ronaldo’s remarkable statistics further cement his legacy, with 110 goals in 123 appearances for Al Nassr and 84 goals in 86 Saudi Pro League matches, making him the third-highest scorer in the league’s history.

The Ayutthaya Marathon 2025, held on Sunday in Thailand’s historic city of Ayutthaya, marked a significant milestone in celebrating 50 years of diplomatic relations between China and Thailand. Organized by China Daily, the RVi Group, the Ayutthaya Government, the Ayutthaya Tourist Business Association, and the Ayutthaya Running Club, the event highlighted the cultural richness of this UNESCO World Heritage Site while promoting sports tourism globally. The marathon featured four categories: a full marathon, a 21.1-kilometer half-marathon, a 10-kilometer challenge, and a 5-kilometer fun run. Participants from China, Myanmar, Singapore, the United States, and other countries ran past iconic landmarks such as Wat Phra Si Sanphet, Wat Mahathat, Wat Ratchaburana, and Wihan Phra Mongkhon Bophit, starting and finishing at the Old Ayutthaya Provincial Hall. Chuanin Wongsatitjirakan, Governor of Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province, emphasized the event’s role in boosting tourism and stimulating the local economy. Zhou Li, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of China Daily, underscored the importance of cultural collaboration in strengthening people-to-people ties, particularly on the 50th anniversary of Sino-Thai diplomatic relations. The marathon’s theme, ‘Celebrating Thailand-China Friendship Through Sports and Culture,’ reflected the enduring partnership between the two nations. Additional activities, including a tourism campaign by China’s Yunnan province, further enriched the event. Eaindray Phuu, a 15-year-old student from Myanmar, shared her excitement about participating in her first marathon and exploring Ayutthaya’s historical sites. The event’s mascots, an elephant and a giant panda, symbolized the cultural bond between Thailand and China, inspiring participants like Phuu to express interest in visiting China.

India has emerged victorious in the first-ever Blind Women’s T20 World Cup, securing a seven-wicket win against Nepal in the final held in Colombo, Sri Lanka. This landmark achievement comes just weeks after India’s triumph in the Women’s One-Day International World Cup, further cementing the nation’s growing prowess in cricket. The tournament, which featured six teams—India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Australia, and the US—was played in a round-robin format. India’s captain, Deepika Gaonkar, was visibly emotional as her team clinched the title. Blind cricket employs a unique set of rules, including the use of a plastic ball with metal bearings that produce a jingling sound, and players are categorized by their level of vision: B1 (fully blind), B2, and B3. Teams must include a mix of all three categories, and the ball is bowled underarm along the ground. B1 batters use runners for safety, and each run they score counts as two. In the final, India restricted Nepal to 114 runs for five wickets and successfully chased the target in just 12 overs, losing only three wickets. Mahantesh G Kivadasannavar, chairman of the Cricket Association for the Blind in India, emphasized that this victory would inspire many women and individuals with disabilities across the country to pursue cricket and other sports. The Indian team, comprising players who have overcome significant challenges, received a grand welcome in Chennai, with another reception planned in Bengaluru. The victory has been widely celebrated by politicians and cricket legends alike, with federal minister Amit Shah calling it a ‘historic day for Indian sports’ and former captain Mithali Raj praising the team’s resolve and dedication. The World Cup, which began on November 11 in Delhi, moved to Karnataka before concluding in Sri Lanka.

In a gripping display of cricketing prowess, South Africa tightened its grip on the first Test against India, reducing the hosts to 102-4 by the end of the morning session on Day 3. India, trailing by a daunting 387 runs, faced a series of setbacks as South Africa’s bowlers delivered a masterclass in precision and strategy. The Proteas, who had earlier amassed a formidable 489 in their first innings, are eyeing their first Test series victory on Indian soil since 2000-01. The day began with India resuming at six without loss, but the opening partnership of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Lokesh Rahul was soon dismantled. Rahul fell to Keshav Maharaj after scoring 22 runs, while Jaiswal, who had crafted a resilient 58, was dismissed by Simon Harmer. Harmer, who finished with figures of 2-39, also accounted for Sai Sudharsan, who struggled against spin. Dhruv Jurel’s brief stay at the crease ended in a duck, leaving India reeling at 102-4. Stand-in skipper Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja remained unbeaten at the interval, but the task ahead remains monumental. South Africa’s dominance was further underscored by Senuran Muthusamy’s maiden century on Day 2, which laid the foundation for their commanding total. As the match progresses, India faces an uphill battle to salvage the Test, while South Africa inches closer to a historic series win.

In a thrilling display of cricketing prowess, the Ajman Titans secured a commanding seven-wicket victory over the Royal Champs in the 2025 Abu Dhabi T10 tournament. The Titans, led by Rilee Rossouw’s explosive 37 runs off 20 balls, chased down a target of 110 runs in just 8.2 overs, marking their second consecutive win after two initial setbacks. Meanwhile, the Royal Champs suffered their fourth straight defeat in the competition. The Titans’ chase was bolstered by a flying start from Aneurin Donald, who smashed two fours and a six in the opening over before being dismissed by Daniel Sams. Alex Hales (21 off 10) and Rossouw maintained the momentum, with Rossouw top-scoring with four boundaries and two sixes. Moeen Ali sealed the victory in style, finishing unbeaten with 29 runs off 10 deliveries, including two sixes and three fours. Earlier, the Royal Champs posted a competitive total of 109/5, thanks to a strong 80-run partnership between Jason Roy (42 off 25) and Brandon McMullen (43 off 26). However, Wasim Akram’s exceptional bowling (2/7) and Chris Green’s late strikes restricted their innings. In another match, Quetta Qavalry edged past Aspin Stallions by eight runs, defending their total of 100/7.