Category: Sports

Australia secured a convincing 5-0 victory over Lebanon (1-0 at halftime) in a match held earlier on Tuesday in the capital, Canberra. The game, which was considered a home match for Lebanon, was part of the fourth round, first leg, of the ninth group of the joint qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup and the 2027 Asian Cup.

Last Thursday, Australia defeated Lebanon 2-0 in Sydney, securing qualification for the Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia and advancing to the decisive phase of the World Cup qualifiers.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

Germany will carry out border controls at all its frontiers during UEFA EURO 2024 in June and July, the country’s top security official told local media.

Interior Minister Nancy Faeser told the daily Rheinische Post in comments published today that checks will be carried out at all German borders during the tournament ‘to be able to prevent possible violent criminals entering.’ She added that ‘this is necessary to protect this major international event as best possible.’

Authorities’ focus is on protection against terrorists and other extremists, hooligans and others, and securing networks against cyberattacks, she said.

Faeser’s comments come shortly after the attack on a suburban Moscow concert hall.

However, the decision to restore border checks during the soccer tournament had long been expected. It has become standard practice for countries in Europe’s nominally ID check-free travel zone known as the Schengen area during big sports events and major summits.

Germany already is carrying out checks on
its eastern and southern borders with Poland, the Czech Republic, Austria and Switzerland as a result of concerns over migration.

The UEFA EURO 2024 starts on 14 June, with host Germany playing Scotland in the opening match in Munich. The final will be played in Berlin on 14 July.

Source: Oman News Agency

Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has undergone surgery on a meniscus tear in his right knee and is set for another spell of rehabilitation.

The 31-year-old Belgium international had already missed most of Real’s campaign so far after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury to his left knee last August.

Courtois only recently returned to first-team training and it had been hoped he could soon be available again as Carlo Ancelotti’s side challenge for the Spanish LaLiga title and the UEFA Champions League success.

Real Madrid confirmed in a statement today: ‘Our player Thibaut Courtois underwent successful surgery today for a tear to the internal meniscus of his right knee, under the supervision of the Real Madrid Medical Services.

It added, ‘Courtois will start his recovery program in the next few days.’

It remains to be seen how long his latest injury setback will leave Courtois sidelined again.

Courtois had already been ruled out of Belgium’s upcoming friendlies against Ireland and Englan
d in the international break.

He also now looks likely not to be in contention for both legs of next month’s Champions League quarter-final against Manchester City.

Given Courtois’ absence, Ukrainian stopper Andriy Lunin has established himself in goal for Real Madrid this season.

Ancelotti’s side are eight points clear of fierce rivals and reigning Spanish champions Barcelona with nine games remaining.

Source: Oman News Agency

The Organizing Committee of the FIFA World Cup 2030 has presented the official slogan for the World Cup 2030, which will be jointly organized by Morocco, Spain and Portugal.

The slogan, “Yalla Vamos 2030,” meaning “let’s go” in Arabic and Spanish, captures the essence of unity and excitement for the upcoming event.

This dynamic phrase featured prominently in the official logo of the 2030 World Cup, along with a vibrant depiction of the number 30. Symbolizing the year of the tournament, the number was artfully incorporated with colors inspired by the flags of the three host countries; red, yellow, green and blue.

The committee further emphasised that “Morocco, Portugal and Spain link the coasts of Africa and Europe, the Mediterranean and the Atlantic, welcoming the world to the crossroads of civilizations. Three countries with a shared history, culture, geography and ambition, which are individually unique, but collectively intertwined”.

Source: Oman News Agency

England captain Harry Kane was among a number of players to train indoors away from the main group at St George’s Park today.

Kane, England’s all-time leading goalscorer, suffered an ankle injury in Bayern Munich’s 5-2 Bundesliga win over Darmstadt on Sunday but joined up with Gareth Southgate’s squad as planned.

The PA news agency understands Kane was working on an individualised programme along with Jordan Henderson, Cole Palmer and Bukayo Saka.

Manchester United defender Luke Shaw, who is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury, linked up with his international colleagues to continue his rehabilitation at St George’s Park.

The rest of the squad trained ahead of the upcoming Wembley friendly double-header against Brazil and Belgium – the final games before Southgate names his Euro 2024 squad in May.

Manchester City’s 16-year-old defender Kian Noble joined the senior group for training, with the promising youngster suspended for Wednesday’s Euro Under-17 qualifier against Northern Ireland.

Source:
Oman News Agency

Robert Lewandowski and Joao Felix were the stars as Barcelona secured a 3-0 win over Atletico Madrid in a flattering scoreline that also saw their coach, Xavi, sent off.

The result means Barcelona climb up to second in the Spanish LaLiga, ahead of Girona and they now trail Real Madrid by eight points with 30 to play for. Atletico Madrid, meanwhile, drop out of the UEFA Champions League places after Athletic Club won last Saturday, the Spanish MARCA newspaper reported.

In the sixth minute, Atletico Madrid thought they won a penalty through Alvaro Morata, but Jules Kounde was reprieved as the forward was called offside meaning any foul after didn’t matter.

Diego Simeone’s side then survived a penalty claim in front of the Estadio Civitas Metropolitano crowd in the 15th minute when Kounde thought he was fouled, before rushing back to deny Nahuel Molina.

But Barcelona grew into the game, and they had their first big chance in the 38th minute, punishing the home side to full effect.

Atletico Madrid repelled t
heir first attack, but Ilkay Gundogan picked up the ball and found Lewandowski, who then squared a cross for a deft finish past Jan Oblak by Felix – playing against his parent club – to give Xavi’s men the lead of the tie.

Then, they doubled their lead in the 47th minute when Raphinha took advantage of a poor Rodrigo De Paul pass, playing Lewandowski through, and the legendary forward slammed the ball across goal into the far corner to make it 2-0.

Finally, Barcelona killed the tie off as Lewandowski turned provider. This time the Pole floated a cross over the box and Fermin powered a header past Oblak in the 65th minute to make it 3-0 signalling the Game is over.

Molina was then sent off in the 92nd minute for fouling Vitor Roque as he bore down on goal, preventing a penalty but getting himself sent off with seconds remaining.

Despite the scoreline, it wasn’t a game of many chances. Barcelona recorded nine shots and were very lethal, whilst Atletico Madrid accumulated shots in volume but of little value
as just five of their 12 were taken within 18 yards.

In a tense game that, if they had lost, would have seen Barcelona lead Atletico Madrid by just three points, Xavi managed to get himself sent off.

Two moments of dissent to the officials, bizarrely after they just scored, saw the legendary ex-soccer play issued his marching orders when he was flashed the red card.

Source: Oman News Agency

Manchester City were unsurprisingly comfortable in a 3-1 victory over Copenhagen, copying the result from the first-leg in Denmark.

The Blues, who are pushing for a second successive treble, made use of their vast advantage over the Danish minnows, who were ultimately not up to the standard of the Champions League knockout stage.

Whether this raises questions about the expansion of the tournament’s group phase to feature more teams is another debate, however the Abu Dhabi-funded English champions will be right at the top of whichever tournament they enter.

Pep Guardiola made seven changes to the starting XI which defeated Manchester United 3-1 on last Sunday, although Erling Haaland retained his place, perhaps with the Spanish coach hoping he works through any crisis of confidence after an abysmal miss from one-yard out at the weekend.

It took just five minutes for Manchester City to open the scoring, albeit through an unlikely source, the Spanish MARCA newspaper reported.

Manuel Akanji found the net wit
h a stunning volley after a cross from Julian Alvarez. The ball rocketed off his boot and into the roof of the net.

Rodri then missed a chance to double City’s lead, sending a glancing header beyond the goalkeeper but onto the crossbar.

Kamil Grabara earned plaudits for his performances against Manchester United and Bayern Munich in the group phase, but the goalkeeper was at fault for City’s second goal.

Julian Alvarez took a shot from distance that Grabara struggled to get to grips with and the ball squirmed under his body and into the net.

The tie, if it wasn’t in Denmark, was now over, and the Blues turned on their stereotypical game-management.

However, taking their foot off the gas did cause problems on the half-hour mark as Orri Oskarsson played a simple square pass towards Mohamed Elyounoussi, who was composed and he placed a shot into the bottom corner.

Haaland had a chance to redeem himself after his blunder at the weekend, finding himself on the end of a Rodri cross in injury-time of the first
-half.

However, the sensational Norwegian was clinical as he finished the chance with his usual conviction.

The second-half was a quiet affair with the job already done by the tournament holders, and they will now look towards who will have the unenviable task of facing them in the quarter-final.

Source: Oman News Agency

Upon the Royal directives of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, HH Sayyid Harib bin Thuwaini Al Said today presided over the conclusion of His Majesty the Sultan’s Camel Cup Festival 2024.

The 4-day festival was organized by the Royal Court Affairs at Al Fuleij Racecourse in the Wilayat of Barka, South Al Batinah Governorate.

The final race of the 62-lap competition was won by a camel from the Royal Camel Corps called Makhayil-coached by cameleer Subaih Mohammed Al Wahaibi, won first place and merited His Majesty the Sultan’s Cup for this year.

HH Sayyid Hareb handed over prizes to top winners of the six rounds of the race.

Source: Oman News Agency

Real Madrid fans will point towards Wolfsburg, Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain and suggest that some of their greatest Champions League triumphs came with a slow start to the knockout phase.

Describing Los Blancos’ 1-1 draw with RB Leipzig at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu as slow would be an understatement, as a Real Madrid team that played far below their ability was able to avoid an embarrassing elimination.

In truth, the German side were kept at a safe distance by Ancelotti’s charges, but there were a number of nervous moments, despite the hosts taking the lead in the second-half.

There is talent wherever you look in the current Real Madrid team… and it’s young. When your factor in the likely addition of Kylian Mbappe in the summer, this is a potentially generational team that the club has recruited.

With that being said, they haven’t yet mastered the art of the rope-a-dope, which many great teams use to keep fitness levels fresh over the course of a season.

After taking a 1-0 victory in Germany, i
t became obvious that RB Leipzig were set up to try and score the first goal.

Lois Openda was recalled to the starting XI after missing the first-leg, and it was the visitors who made the early chances.

Xavi Simons tested Andriy Lunin, whilst Openda and Benjamin Sesko missed glaring chances. The best of which fell to Sesko who was one-on-one with Lunin but fired a shot straight at him. Sesko’s only saving grace was the fact replays showed he was offside.

Real Madrid’s opener came through their best two players. Jude Bellingham expertly orchestrated a counter-attack, providing a clever pass in behind at just the right time, and Vinicius Jr. finished with a powerful first time shot into the net, the Spanish MARCA newspaper reported.

Leipzig, though, hit back immediately. Real Madrid’s continuous inability to clear their lines allowed the German team to string multiple corners together, and eventually a clever cross was aimed at Willi Orban, who nodded the ball into the far corner beyond Lunin.

Real Madrid
held out, although Dani Olmo tried an audacious lob which hit the bar with virtually the last kick of the game.

Nevertheless, Real can now start to prepare for the next round, although they have to raise their performance levels.

Source: Oman News Agency

Kylian Mbappe led Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) back to the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals, scoring both goals in a 2-1 win over Real Sociedad that kept alive the French club’s hopes of winning the European title in its last season with the France forward.

PSG advanced 4-1 on aggregate, with Mbappe also scoring one of the goals in the 2-0 win in the first leg in Paris three weeks ago. Mbappe has already told PSG he will not stay with the club after this season, the Spanish MARCA newspaper reported.

Despite huge spending to try to win the UEFA Champions League for the first time, PSG had been eliminated from the last 16 five times in the last seven seasons, including the last two. It had made it to the semifinals in 2021 and was runner-up in 2020.

Mbappe was the difference-maker again, opening the scoring with a beautiful goal in the 15th minute after a couple of nifty moves inside the area to cut back from near the touchline and fire a firm right-footed shot into the far corner. The shot broke the netting
by the far post, prompting a short stoppage in play so it could be fixed.

Mbappe’s second goal came in the 56th with a run that started from near the midfield line. He sped to the open space to collect a long pass by Lee Kang-in and calmly found the net from inside the area.

At 25 years and 76 days, Mbappe became the second-youngest player to reach 45 Champions League goals, from group stage to final. Lionel Messi reached that mark at 24 years and 257 days. Mbappé stands at 46 goals.

Mbappé hadn’t scored in his last two appearances with PSG but had eight goals in his last eight matches with the club. He had been replaced in the last two matches but played through the final whistle.

PSG had won 10 of its last 13 matches in all competitions but was coming off consecutive draws against Rennes and Monaco in the French league.

Mikel Merino scored Sociedad’s lone goal in the 89th.

Sociedad was trying to advance past the last 16 of the Champions League for the first time. The Basque Country club hadn’t played
in Europe’s top club tournament since 2013-14. Its best European campaign was in 1982-83, when it reached the semifinals of the European Cup.

Sociedad started the season strong and won its Champions League group for the first time, but it has been going through a slump recently. It has lost six times in its last seven matches in all competitions, and has only one win in its last nine games.

The Spanish club had outplayed PSG during most of the first leg before conceding twice in the second half. Sociedad had a goal by Ander Barrenetxea disallowed for offside in the 63rd.

Source: Oman News Agency

Harry Kane scored twice to steer Bayern Munich into the quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions League with a 3-0 win over Lazio.

Kane’s 32nd and 33rd goals in his 32nd game for Bayern ensured the Bavarian powerhouse recovered from losing the first leg of the last 16 tie 1-0 in Rome to win 3-1 on aggregate over two legs.

Bayern, which is 10 points behind Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga, was facing the prospect of just its second exit in 12 appearances at this stage of the competition.

But Kane finally broke the deadlock in the 38th minute after Ciro Immobile had gone close for Lazio at the other end, the Spanish MARCA newspaper reported.

Thomas Mller headed Aleksandar Pavlovi’s cross back for Raphaël Guerreiro to mis-hit it, and Kane threw himself at the ball to just head it past Ivan Provedel in the Lazio goal.

There was still time before the break for Mller to score in first-half stoppage time with a glancing header to Matthijs de Ligt’s shot after a corner.

Kane sealed the result in the 66th by firing
in the rebound after Leroy Sané drew a save from Provedel. It was the England captain’s sixth Champions League goal this season.

Sané had recovered enough to start after a knee problem kept him from playing in the 2-2 draw with Freiburg over the weekend.

Bayern’s Club No. 12 fan group organized an impressive choreography before the game to show Munich’s heraldic figure over a banner saying “In the name of the city.”

Source: Oman News Agency

Barcelona were hit with a double injury blow which marred their goalless draw against Athletic Club at San Mames.

Barcelona failed to take advantage of Real Madrid’s slip-up in the title race.

Fresh off the back of their 4-0 drubbing of Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey in midweek, Athletic would have been brimming with confidence about closing the gap on the top four.

But with Real Madrid only drawing 2-2 with Valencia last Saturday and Girona suffering a surprise defeat to Mallorca, Barcelona had the opportunity to close the gap at the top to four points.

With few chances to speak of in the early exchanges, Barca were dealt a massive blow in the 26th minute when Frenkie de Jong was forced off with an ankle injury and replaced by Joao Cancelo. The Portuguese full-back nearly put the visitors in front minutes later, only to see his effort hacked clear off the line on the half-hour mark, the Spanish MARCA newspaper reported.

Ronald Araujo and head coach Xavi Hernandez were both cautioned midway through
the first half, meaning the pair will be suspended for their next fixture against Mallorca on 8 March.

But Barca’s already bad evening turned into a nightmare when Xavi was forced into another change on the stroke of halftime.

Pedri, who has been plagued by injury over the past two seasons, had to be consoled by medics as he broke down in tears while walking off, suggesting his latest injury could keep him out for a lengthy period. Lamine Yamal was brought on in his place as Barca looked to spark the game into life.

The 17-year-old made an impact and felt he should have been awarded a penalty after going down under a challenge from Imanol Garcia, but the referee waved away his appeals.

With the clock running down, Xavi sent on fresh legs in the form of Joao Felix, Inigo Martinez and Oriol Romeu for Raphinha, Pau Cubarsi and the booked Andreas Christensen. But in a stop-start game of few chances, Barca never truly looked like finding the back of the net.

With De Jong and Pedri joining Gavi, Ferran Torres,
Marcos Alonso and Alejandro Balde on the ever-increasing list of injuries, Barca’s hopes of catching Real Madrid look slim at best with only 12 games

Source: Oman News Agency