LEAGUES CUP
Messi has two assists
Lionel Messi on Wednesday had two assists, including one in the final seconds of the match, to help lift Inter Miami over Atlas 2-1 in their Leagues Cup opener. It was Messi’s first game since he and teammate Jordi Alba were suspended for one match by Major League Soccer for skipping the All-Star game. He connected with Marcelo Weigandt for the winning score in the final minute of stoppage-time. “It’s a competition that we always do well in,” Messi said in Spanish during a post-match interview with Apple TV. “I think we did a great job against a great team.” Messi also assisted on Telasco Segovia’s goal that opened the scoring. He received a through-ball from Sergio Busquets and sent it to Segovia for an easy finish in the 58th minute. Rivaldo Lozano scored the equalizer for the Guadalajara club in the 80th minute before Weigandt’s goal in the 96th minute that had to be confirmed by the video referee after he was originally ruled offside.
Photo: Sam Navarro / Imagn Images
PREMIER LEAGUE
Burnley offer VR experience
Newly promoted Burnley are offering their fans a virtual-reality (VR) viewing experience, meaning they can enjoy being at the club’s Turf Moor from their room. A partnership with VR experts Rezzil would mean a “first of its kind” immersive broadcast of Burnley’s pre-season friendly against Italian club SS Lazio on Saturday next week. Fans who acquire special headsets would be able to take a virtual seat inside the stadium, complete with match day commentary and in-stadium audio. “It reflects our forward-thinking approach to fan engagement and our commitment to global supporters,” Burnley chairman Alan Pace said. “Our mission is to provide the best experiences to fans, and by entering into the world of virtual reality, they can get closer to the game than ever before.” Manchester-based company Rezzil provides VR technology to help train athletes and provide analysis in sports. Last year it signed a four-year partnership deal with the Premier League aimed at revolutionizing fan engagement. “We’re thrilled to collaborate with Burnley FC and the Premier League to bring fans a truly next-generation football experience,” Rezzil cofounder Andy Etches said.
SUPER LEAGUE
Dog bites Carles Perez
Aris Thessaloniki winger Carles Perez has been sidelined after sustaining a groin injury in a dog attack, Spanish media reported on Wednesday. The 27-year-old Spaniard was reported to be walking his own dog when he was bitten in the genitals by another dog during an attempt to separate the animals. The incident left him with a deep wound, requiring treatment in a hospital. Perez featured in the Greek side’s 2-1 loss to Araz-Nakhchivan in the first leg of the second qualifying round of the UEFA Europa Conference League. Local media reported that he would be unavailable for the return fixture in Thessaloniki.
The pressure was already on Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso before their 2-1 defeat to Manchester City on Wednesday in the UEFA Champions League raised further questions about his future. Arsenal remain perfect in this season’s competition and three points clear at the top of the standings after a 3-0 win against Club Brugge, while defending champions Paris Saint-Germain were held 0-0 at Athletic Bilbao. The clash between Madrid and City was the standout game of the round amid reports this week that Alonso had lost control of the locker room. Speculation over his position is likely to intensify after the latest
‘HIGH STANDARD’: The Thunder are on track for a Finals-Cup double after they scored 22 three-pointers in equaling the best 25-game start to a season in NBA history The Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday bagged a 16th straight victory, thrashing the Phoenix Suns 138-89 to romp into an NBA Cup semi-final clash with the San Antonio Spurs, who stunned the Los Angeles Lakers 132-119. NBA Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 28 points to lead the reigning NBA champions Thunder, who improved to 24-1 to equal the best 25-game start to a season in league history. They dominated from start to finish to book their place in the final four of the in-season tournament in Las Vegas, where they are tomorrow to take on the Spurs. The New York Knicks and
The Olympic flame for the Milan Cortina Winter Games landed in Rome on Thursday following a handover in Greece. The flame was carried in a small lantern aboard an ITA Airways flight between the Greek and Italian capitals. Tennis player Jasmine Paolini — an Olympic gold medalist — and local organizing committee president Giovanni Malago carried the flame off the plane. “I feel honored. It’s an incredible emotion,” Paolini said in brief remarks before the lantern was driven away toward the presidential palace. A 63-day torch relay covering 12,000km is to start in Rome today and wind its way through all 110 Italian provinces
The Kashima Antlers won a record-extending ninth Japanese title on the final day of the J. League season yesterday, holding their nerve to beat the Yokohama F. Marinos 2-1. Watched by Brazilian legend and former player Zico, the Antlers went into the game at their packed home stadium with a one-point lead over Kashiwa Reysol in the table. A goal in either half from Brazilian striker Leo Ceara put the Antlers in control, but Yokohama struck in the first of five minutes of second-half injury time to set up a nail-biting finale, with Reysol winning their game 1-0. The Antlers saw out the
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