COUPE DE LA LIGUE
Icardi leads PSG to 6-1 win
Mauro Icardi on Wednesday scored a hat-trick as Paris Saint-Germain demolished a depleted AS Saint-Etienne 6-1 to power into the semi-finals of the Coupe de la Ligue. Icardi struck the opening goal inside two minutes at the Parc des Princes before teenage Saint-Etienne defender Wesley Fofana was dismissed for a second booking on the half-hour. PSG ruthlessly capitalized on their man advantage as coach Thomas Tuchel elected to field all four members of his fearsome attacking quartet — Icardi, Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and Angel di Maria — against a side decimated by injury and illness. Neymar doubled the lead with a nonchalant chipped finish over goalkeeper Jessy Moulin, who scored a comical own-goal on the stroke of halftime. The hosts bagged a fourth when Mbappe rounded Moulin and cut back for Icardi to add to his tally, and he completed his hat-trick when Mbappe raced clear before selflessly presenting the Argentine with a tap-in. The pair reversed roles for the sixth goal, Icardi controlling superbly and sliding across goal for a lunging Mbappe to turn home from close range. Former PSG midfielder Yohan Cabaye hit a consolation goal for Saint-Etienne. Elsewhere, Olympique Lyonnais battled into the last four with a 3-1 victory at home to Stade Brestois 29, while Luiz Araujo and Victor Osimhen were on target as Lille OSC overcame Amiens SC 2-0.
EFL CUP
Leicester, Aston draw 1-1
Brendan Rodgers warned that Leicester City would have to suffer to reach the EFL Cup final after Kelechi Iheanacho’s late goal earned a 1-1 draw against Aston Villa on Wednesday. Rodgers’ side fell behind to Frederic Guilbert’s first-half goal in the semi-final first leg at the King Power Stadium. However, Iheanacho came off the bench to equalize with his sixth goal in eight appearances this season. Leicester will feel they should have won after dominating for long periods, but the team in second place in the Premier League will have to finish the job at Villa Park in the second leg on Jan. 28. The second-leg winners will play Manchester City or Manchester United in the final at Wembley, with City leading 3-1 after their first leg at Old Trafford on Tuesday.
SUPERCOPA DE ESPANA
Kroos shines in Real victory
Toni Kroos on Wednesday scored a wonder goal straight from a corner as Real Madrid beat Valencia 3-1 to reach the final of the controversial Supercopa de Espana in Saudi Arabia. Kroos caught Valencia goalkeeper Jaume Domenech napping with a brilliant, instinctive strike, before Isco made it two and Luka Modric added a classy third from a curling finish with the outside of his foot. After two superb goals, the only shame was that more fans were not there to see them, as the King Abdullah Sports City stadium appeared only a little more than half full. Dani Parejo scored a late Valencia penalty. Barca coach Ernesto Valverde had earlier on Wednesday said that he preferred the traditional format of the competition, which pitted the league champions against the winners of the Copa del Rey in a match in Spain in August. However, it is the new location that has grated most because of the lack of consideration for Spanish fans and the implications of associating with a country that has been heavily criticized for its treatment of women and human rights record.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely