Author: robin24

Jean-Philippe Mateta scored his first goal for France but Les Bleus were held to a 2-2 draw by Iceland in a 2026 World Cup qualifier on Monday. World Cup winners in 2018 and runners-up in 2022, France could have clinched qualification for next year’s tournament in North America with a win in Reykjavik combined with Ukraine failing to beat Azerbaijan at the same time. In the end Ukraine defeated Azerbaijan 2-1, while Didier Deschamps’ side dropped points for the first time in four outings in qualifying Group D. Victor Palsson’s goal had Iceland ahead at half-time, but Christopher…

Formula One announced that the Monaco GP will continue on the circuit until 2035© AFP Formula One announced on Friday that the Monaco Grand Prix will continue on the circuit until 2035. The iconic race on the Mediterranean coast has been part of the Formula One schedule since its first season in 1950. “The streets of Monaco have been echoing with the sound of Formula One since the earliest days of the sport, so I’m delighted to announce the extension of this fantastic event to 2035,” Formula One president and CEO Stefano Domenicali said in a statement.”It is…

Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard sent down 12 aces, to Taylor Fritz’s nine.© X (Twitter) Big-serving Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard upset fourth-ranked Taylor Fritz 6-4, 7-5 and advanced to the fourth round of the Shanghai Masters on Sunday. Mpetshi Perricard sent down 12 aces, to Fritz’s nine, and took a break in each set as he clinched his first tour victory against the American in one hour and 25 minutes to set up a last-16 meeting with 10th-seeded Holger Rune. Also Sunday, Novak Djokovic was made to work hard before he rallied past German qualifier Yannick Hanfmann 4-6, 7-5, 6-3.…

Australian cricket team (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images) Australia heads into the upcoming ODI series against India facing a series of setbacks, with several key players unavailable for the opening matches. Pat Cummins has been ruled out of the white-ball series against India due to lower back issues, while all-rounder Cameron Green will miss the three ODIs scheduled for October 19, 23, and 25 because of side soreness. Green’s injury has been assessed as low grade, but Cricket Australia is taking a cautious approach given his importance for the Ashes campaign. Marnus Labuschagne has been called in as Green’s replacement.…

League leaders Bayern Munich host second-placed Borussia Dortmund on Saturday, with both sides unbeaten after opening the season in top form. Bayern have won 10 from 10 in all competitions, scoring 36 goals and conceding seven. Star striker Harry Kane is on arguably his career-best form.  The 32-year-old, who scored a brace in Tuesday’s 5-0 thumping of Latvia on England duty, has 18 goals and three assists in those 10 matches for Bayern.  While Bayern have barnstormed their way to the top of the Bundesliga and Champions League tables, Dortmund are quietly putting together a strong opening of…

Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton races during the first practice session ahead of the Italian GP.© AFP Lewis Hamilton gave Ferrari fans hope of a big weekend at the Italian Grand Prix after topping the times in Friday’s first practice session at Monza ahead of teammate Charles Leclerc. Formula One icon Hamilton clocked a fastest lap of one minute and 20.117 seconds at the Temple of Speed, 0.169sec faster than Leclerc who won last year’s race for the Scuderia. Hamilton, a seven-time world champion, has had a disappointing first season at Ferrari, not only not winning a GP but not…

Defending champion Jannik Sinner retired on Sunday from the Shanghai Masters after suffering from cramps in his third-round match against the Netherlands’ Tallon Griekspoor, easing the way for Novak Djokovic’s shot at a record-extending fifth title. The 38-year-old Serb battled through to the last 16 with a 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 win over qualifier Yannick Hanfmann, despite admitting that he had been “hanging by a rope” early in the match. It was a sorry end for Sinner, who had been hoping this week to add to his China Open victory.  The world number two began to experience issues in…

Virat Kohli (Photo by Ryan Lim/Getty Images) Since joining the India squad for the Australia tour starting October 19, all eyes have been on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. The two former captains are playing only in ODIs this series, which makes each appearance on the field even more special for fans.That excitement was captured perfectly in a heartwarming moment in Perth, where the Indian team is currently training. A young fan managed to get Kohli’s autograph and could barely contain his joy, running around in sheer delight after meeting his idol.Massive crowd for Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma at Delhi…

Liverpool will be desperate to recapture their spark against bitter rivals Manchester United this weekend but Ruben Amorim’s men will harbour hopes of pinching a rare win at Anfield. The champions have lost just one of their past 14 Premier League meetings against United but have suffered three straight defeats in all competitions, with Arsenal now top of the pile. Nottingham Forest boss Ange Postecoglou survived the international break but remains under intense pressure after failing to record a win in his first seven matches. AFP Sport looks at three key talking points ahead of the weekend action:Liverpool…

McLaren’s driver Lando Norris races during the second practice session ahead of the Italian F1 GP.© AFP Lando Norris was fastest in the second practice session at the Italian Grand Prix on Friday as the McLaren driver bids to cut into his teammate Osar Piastri’s handy Formula One championship lead. Briton Norris topped the times with a fastest lap of one minute 19.878 seconds, less than one hundredth of a second faster than Ferrari’s home hope Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz of Williams. The 25-year-old trails Piastri by 34 points in the drivers’ standings after a mechanical failure…