Picture Credit: Twitter
The last 24 hours saw Spain scripting history as they took Sweden to make it to their first-ever FIFA Women’s World Cup. While one corner of the world was rejoicing in the historic achievement, Indian football lost one of its gems. Former India football captain Mohammed Habib passed away at the age of 74. In the wrestling discipline, prominent wrestler Vinesh Phogat pulled out of the forthcoming Asian Games due to an injury.
What else took place in the last 24 hours? Let’s have a look.
Spain defeat Sweden 2-1 to advance to their first ever FIFA Women’s World Cup
Spain took down Sweden in the semifinal of FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 on August 15, Tuesday at the Eden Park in Auckland. The team got a thrilling 2-1 win over their rivals to make it to their first ever final of the tournament. In the grand finale, the Spanish team will lock horns with the winner of the second semi-final between England and Australia.
Notably, this is Spain’s third World Cup appearance.
Lionel Messi records second-longest club goal in Inter Miami vs Philadelphia Union
Inter Miami defeated Philadelphia Union 4-1 on August 15, Tuesday to advance into the final of Leagues Cup. In the match, superstar Lionel Messi scored his second longest club goal. The former Barcelona great scored the goal from 31.8 m to give his side a 2-0 lead against the rivals, which came in the 20th minute of the game.
Atletico Madrid defeats Granda 3-1 in their season opener of La Liga 2023
Atletico Madrid began their La Liga campaign by securing a 3-1 win over Granda on Tuesday, August 15 (IST). On Atletico’s side, the goals came from Alvaro Morata, Memphis Depay and Marcos Llorente to give the opening win to their side in their first match of the tournament.
Former Indian skipper Mohammed Habib passes away aged 74
Former Indian football skipper Mohammed Habib passed away at the age of 74 in Hyderabad on August 15, Tuesday. Habib was suffering from dementia and Parkinson’s syndrome and wasn’t keeping well since the last few years.
Habib was a part of the bronze medal winning team during the Asian Games 1970 in Bangkok.
Vinesh Phogat withdraws from Asian Games 2023 due to injury
Prominent wrestler Vinesh Phogat pulled out of the forthcoming Asian Games 2023 due to an injury. Phogat sustained the injury during training on August 13, Sunday. Notably, the 28-year-old became the first Indian female wrestler to win gold in both Commonwealth and Asian Games. Phogat will undergo knee surgery on August 17 in Mumbai, and hence, she won’t be participating in the tournament.
Cincinnati Open 2023: Novak Djokovic loses first match on US return since 2021; Andy Murray withdraws
Tennis legend Novak Djokovic lost his first match in the United States since 2021 at the Western and Southern Open in Ohio on August 15, Tuesday. Djokovic partnered with Nikola Cacic for the men’s doubles match against Jamie Murray and Michael Venus. However, Djokovic-Cacic fell to their rival partners 6-4, 6-2.
On the other hand, Andy Murray withdrew from his first-round match on Tuesday, August 15. With his withdrawal, Murray’s spot in the draw was taken over by Daniel Altmaier. It is the same abdominal injury that forced Murray to withdraw from the Canadian Open last week.
Viswanathan Anand takes down 22 chess players simultaneously
Indian Grandmaster Viswanathan Anand played chess with 22 players simultaneously and emerged victorious in each of them. The event was organised by Rotary Club Thane Midtown and Upstep Academy at KORUM Mall on August 15, Tuesday.
Apart from this, the Indian legend praised the four Indian chess players who reached the quarter finals of FIDE World Cup 2023. The five-time world champion said, “It is a historic moment for Indian chess because we had a good hand, which is multiple players who are playing, who are all good… good enough level to qualify to the final stages.”
