Sports
Real Sociedad Beat Atletico On Penalties To Win Copa Dey Rey
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Real Sociedad edged Atletico Madrid 4-3 on penalties to win the Copa del Rey for a fourth time in the club’s history after a 2-2 draw in a gripping final on Saturday in Seville.
After Alexander Sorloth and Julian Alvarez missed from the spot for Diego Simeone’s Atletico, Pablo Marin smashed home his kick to claim victory for the Basque side.
Ander Barrenetxea had headed Real Sociedad ahead after just 14 seconds, with Ademola Lookman levelling for Atletico.
Mikel Oyarzabal put the Basque side ahead from the penalty spot before the break but Alvarez rescued Atletico and forced extra time and ultimately penalties with a superb strike.
La Real’s season seemed set to be one of struggle until American coach Pellegrino Matarazzo was appointed in December, and he resuscitated their campaign.
At La Cartuja stadium it was a battle between two teams that often attack fast and direct, and Real Sociedad certainly did that, netting the quickest ever goal scored in a Copa del Rey final.
Goncalo Guedes scampered away down the left on to a long ball, crossing for Barrenetxea to head beyond Juan Musso before the Rojiblancos had even touched the ball.
Simeone’s side, who last won the competition back in 2013 near the start of his 14-year reign, wrestled their way back level through Lookman.
Antoine Griezmann laid off the ball to him on the edge of the box and without much on, the Nigeria international spied a route to goal and drilled into the bottom corner.
Lookman almost created a goal for Griezmann but Real Sociedad scrambled to block the 35-year-old French forward, who is leaving Atletico at the end of the season for MLS side Orlando City.
Atletico goalkeeper Musso, chosen ahead of the fit-again Jan Oblak after he impressed during the Slovenian’s recent injury absence, handed La Real the lead again just before the break.
Musso clumsily clattered Guedes fists first as the Portuguese leapt for a header and the Basque side were awarded a penalty.
Oyarzabal, who scored from the spot when they won the 2020 edition, without their fans present because of the global pandemic, sent Musso the wrong way.
After a first half in which they struggled, Atletico began to build some pressure after the interval.
Griezmann lashed over and Lookman whipped a shot high and wide as La Real tried to stave off the Rojiblancos, who dominated the ball.
Alvarez forces extra time
Simeone called for his battering ram, sending on Norwegian target man Sorloth to try and force a way through.
Eventually the goal they craved came from the guile of former Manchester City striker Alvarez instead.
The Argentina forward took a neat touch to spin on the edge of the box and then another to plant the ball in the top corner for his 19th goal of the season.
With La Real caving Johnny Cardoso should have won it for Atletico in stoppage time. The American fired a golden opening wide of the far post with just goalkeeper Unai Marrero to beat.
Musso made a fine save to thwart Icelandic striker Orri Oskarsson as he tried to turn home a rebound in extra time.
At the other end Alvarez crashed a shot off the crossbar from long range, with both teams creating enough opportunities to win it before penalties.
Marrero denied both Sorloth and Alvarez on Atletico’s first two penalties, with Musso stopping one from Oskarsson to give Atletico a chance.
However Marin made no mistake with Real Sociedad’s fifth penalty to spark wild celebrations.
Atletico’s last realistic chance of silverware this season, and something for Griezmann to celebrate on his departure, is in the Champions League where they face Arsenal in the semi-finals.
AFP
Atlas Lions rule in Houston as second-half blitz ends co-hosts’ dream as
Morocco delivered a commanding second-half performance to hammer co-hosts Canada 3-0 on Saturday night, securing a place in the quarterfinals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Atlas Lions remained patient throughout the opening 45 minutes as Canada stood firm, with the home crowd creating an electric atmosphere and believing their dream run could continue.
However, Morocco returned from the break with renewed purpose and completely took control of the contest.
The breakthrough goal opened the floodgates before a second strike put the result beyond doubt. A third goal sealed an emphatic victory, leaving Canada with no way back.
By the final whistle, Morocco had dominated possession, controlled the tempo, and capitalised on every mistake made by the Canadians. What started as a competitive encounter ended as a convincing statement of intent from the African side.
The victory sends Morocco into the last eight of the tournament, keeping Africa’s hopes alive on North American soil, while Canada’s World Cup campaign comes to an end on home ground.
Sports
Nigeria’s Team D’Tigers risks hotel ejection in Angola, over unpaid bills, possible disqualification
Ugly development unfolding as Nigeria’s men’s basketball team, D’Tigers, is facing another administrative and funding crisis after reports emerged that the players risk being evicted from their hotel in Angola and could even face disruption of their campaign in the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup African Qualifiers over unpaid accommodation and participation fees.
The latest development comes barely a day after D’Tigers boosted their qualification hopes with a hard-fought 84-81 victory over Tunisia in their opening Group C game in Luanda on Thursday.
However, despite the impressive result on the court, officials familiar with the tournament say Nigeria has yet to settle its financial obligations to the organisers and hotel management.
A source within the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) told journalists on Friday that the situation could escalate if the payments are not made promptly.
“Your team is looking good, but I don’t know if their participation will be disrupted by their situation here,” the FIBA official said.
“Nigeria has not paid for anything here, even though we understand your government officials could be in Luanda on Friday. I hope they are not ejected from their residence or even stopped from the competition.”
The funding crisis threatens to derail Nigeria’s bid to secure one of Africa’s qualification tickets to the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup, scheduled to be hosted by Qatar.
D’Tigers entered the second qualification window under pressure after managing just one victory from three games in the opening window.
To keep realistic hopes of qualifying alive, the Nigerian side is expected to win all three matches in Angola.
The latest controversy adds to a growing list of administrative setbacks that have plagued Nigerian basketball in recent years.
Only months ago, D’Tigers also battled funding challenges that delayed their preparations and forced the team to arrive at an international competition just moments before tip-off, raising concerns over the welfare of Nigerian athletes and the country’s approach to sports administration.
The crisis also comes after years of instability within Nigerian basketball, including the Federal Government’s suspension of the Nigeria Basketball Federation from international competitions in 2022 following a prolonged leadership dispute. Although the suspension was later lifted after intervention by the International Basketball Federation, concerns over poor funding, administrative inefficiency and inadequate planning have continued to dog the country’s basketball programmes.
Sports stakeholders have repeatedly warned that recurring financial and organisational failures risk undermining the performance of Nigerian teams despite their abundant talent.
Egypt have become the second African country to qualify for the last 16 of the 2026 World Cup.
The Pharoahs beat Australia 4-2 on penalties after the game ended 1-1 after 120 minutes.
Emam Ashour opened the scoring in the first half, before Mohamed Hany’s own goal levelled the game in the 55th minute.
It’s a first ever World Cup knockout win for Egypt and they will face either Argentina or Cape Verde next.
Morocco were the first African team to progress into the Round of 16 and they will take on co-hosts Canada.
Six countries from the continent have already been eliminated.
Atlas Lions zoom into World Cup quarter finals, hammer co-hosts Canada 3-0
Nigeria’s Team D’Tigers risks hotel ejection in Angola, over unpaid bills, possible disqualification
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