Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

Cristiano Ronaldo’s Pestana CR7 in Marrakech, Morocco has become a refuge site for victims of Friday’s earthquake, reports Spanish newspaper, Marca. The 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck the mountainous High Atlas region of the North African nation leaving at least 1,305 people dead and several wounded according to multiple reports. Amidst the tragedy, a number of Marrakech-based organisations and businesses have offered assistance to those affected by the quake. One of them is, a hotel owned by Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo. Reports suggest that the luxury hotel is providing shelter to those who have lost their homes. Graded at four stars, just below…

Italy were held to a 1-1 draw with North Macedonia in Luciano Spelletti’s first match in charge, with Enis Bardhi’s late free kick cancelling out a Ciro Immobile goal. Sandro Tonali came the closest of anyone to scoring in a goalless first half, but struck the near post after going through on-on-one with the goalkeeper. Bojan Miovski had North Macedonia’s best chance of the that period, but headed wide after brilliant work from Ezgjan Alioski to win the ball, drive forward and then cross for the Aberdeen striker. Just two minutes after the break Italy got their breakthrough, with Immobile…

England’s winning run in their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign came to a halt as they were held to a draw by Ukraine in Wroclaw. Ukraine were backed by 40,000 fans in the Tarczynski Arena, giving the game the fervent feel of a home fixture despite the hosts being unable to play in their own country because of the war with Russia. The magnificently noisy backing in Poland turned to a deafening roar when Arsenal’s Oleksandr Zinchenko put Ukraine ahead after 26 minutes, turning in a cross from Yukhym Konoplya. England had plenty of possession but lacked creativity and it needed…

Arsenal suffered a shock exit in the qualifying stages of the Women’s Champions League as they were beaten on penalties by French side Paris FC. The Gunners, who reached the semi-finals of the competition last season, came from 2-0 and 3-2 behind to force a shootout after extra time. However, Super Falcons goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie saved from Arsenal’s England striker Alessia Russo and Frida Maanum as the underdogs won 4-2 on spot-kicks. Mathilde Bourdieu scored twice in two minutes early in the second half to put Paris firmly in control but Russo’s first Arsenal goal pulled one back before Jen…

Carlos Alcaraz will not participate in the group stage of the Davis Cup finals. The Spanish Tennis Federation confirmed that the world No. 1 is no longer part of the squad to face the Czech Republic, Serbia and South Korea. Alcaraz has been replaced in the team by 35-year-old Albert Ramos. Alcaraz’s omission ends the possibility of another potential match-up with Serbia’s Novak Djokovic. Carlos Alcaraz has withdrawn from Spain’s Davis Cup team after his US Open semi-final defeat to Daniil Medvedev on Friday. It is a further hit to their preparations for the group stages of the finals, with Spain…

Sao Tome and Principe head coach, Adriano Eusebio, says his side will fight hard to avoid another heavy defeat against the Super Eagles of Nigeria. The True Patriots were pummelled 10-0 when they hosted the Super Eagles in the reverse fixture last June. Both teams will clash again in their final qualifying fixture for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo on Sunday. Eusebio insisted that his team would give their best against the Super Eagles. “We are here to fight and not lose heavily again. We can’t repeat the same mistakes we made…

The Gambia coach Tom Saintfiet said he feared a plane had crashed into his hotel after experiencing Friday’s devastating Morocco earthquake. The Belgian and his team are in Marrakesh for Sunday’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Congo. The country’s interior ministry said more than 820 people have died as a result of the quake. Measuring magnitude 6.8, it sent people rushing into the streets in Marrakesh and other cities. Saintfiet described the experience as “shocking and terrible”. Sunday’s game, which was due to decide who goes through to next year’s AFCON finals in the Ivory Coast, was being played…

Neymar has surpassed Pele as Brazil’s male all-time top scorer with two goals in a 5-1 win over Bolivia. The forward, 31, who went into the World Cup qualifying match tied with legend Pele on 77 goals, missed a penalty before scoring twice in the second half on his 125th appearance. “I never imagined reaching this record. I’m no better than Pele or any other player for the national team,” he said. Pele, who died in December aged 82, scored 77 goals in 92 appearances between 1957 and 1971. He was widely regarded to be one of the greatest footballers to ever…

A sign of Djokovic’s greatness has been his ability to dominate much younger opponents on the biggest stages over recent years. With Djokovic’s technique, mentality and athleticism showing few signs of weakening, Shelton was the latest young pretender to be taught a lesson. The second seed enforced his quality and experience from the start, serving smartly and returning Shelton’s biggest weapon well before intensifying the pressure. Djokovic remained utterly calm and controlled to quieten the home crowd, further flattening the mood at the start of the third set. Shelton made a trip to the locker room in a bid to…

Carlos Alcaraz had his reign as US Open champion ended by Daniil Medvedev as the Russian set up another New York final against Novak Djokovic. The Spanish top seed lost 7-6 (7-3) 6-1 3-6 6-3 to Medvedev, ensuring there will be no repeat of the Wimbledon final between Alcaraz and Djokovic. Djokovic swatted aside young American Ben Shelton to move within one more win of a record-equalling 24th major title. The Serb, 36, won 6-3 6-2 7-6 (7-4) to close in on Margaret Court’s tally. Alcaraz, 20, prevented Djokovic levelling Court when they met at the All England Club in…

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes marked his birthday with a goal as Portugal beat Slovakia to make it five wins from five in Euro 2024 qualifying. Fernandes, who turned 29 on Friday, struck just before half-time with a superb low finish into the far corner. He almost got an assist when he set up Cristiano Ronaldo, but the veteran forward fired off target. The win means Portugal are top of Group J with 15 points from a possible 15. Slovakia are second in the standings on 10 points as they suffered defeat for the first time in qualifying. Lukas Haraslin…

Barcelona teenager Lamine Yamal became the youngest player and goalscorer for the Spanish national team in a thumping Euro 2024 qualifying win against Georgia. Yamal, aged 16 years and 57 days, came on for Dani Olmo just before half-time. He got Spain’s seventh in the 74th minute when fired in a cross. Alvaro Morata scored a hat-trick while a Solomon Kvirkvelia own goal and strikes from Olmo and Nico Williams completed the win. Winger Yamal took the youngest-player record from Gavi, who was 17 years and 62 days old when he made his Spain debut in 2021. It continues a…