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In the world of football, Ukraine qualified for UEFA Euro 2024 after a 2-1 win against Iceland in the playoffs match. Jude Bellingham got England out of jail with a 2-2 draw after a goal on the last kick of the game against Belgium. Novak Djokovic parted ways with coach Goran Ivanisevic after indifferent results to start off the 2024 season in tennis.
Read below to learn details about these top stories and other happenings in the sporting world in the last 24 hours.
Football
Ukraine qualify for UEFA Euro 2024 after playoff win against Iceland
Ukraine qualified for the UEFA Euro 2024 after defeating Iceland 2-1 in the playoffs, with the winner being scored by Mykhailo Mudryk in the 84th minute. Notably, this will be the first major football tournament for Ukraine since the war against Russia, which will see them play against Belgium, Slovakia, and Romania in Group E of the UEFA Euro 2024 finals.
Jude Bellingham scores late equaliser for England against Belgium at Wembley Stadium
England earned a 2-2 draw against Belgium on the last kick of the game which saw Jude Bellingham find the back of the net from close range. At the Wembley Stadium in London, the visitors took the lead twice in the first half through Youri Tielemans, while England had Ivan Toney pull one goal back through a penalty conversion.
Brazil secures last gasp 3-3 draw against Spain at Santiago Bernabeu
Lucas Paqueta converted a second-half stoppage time penalty to help Brazil secure a 3-3 draw in a friendly against Lamine Yamal-led Spain at the Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid. Vinicius Jr captained the Brazilian men’s football team for the first team, which saw their players wear the “One Skin, One Identity,” jerseys before the beginning against Spain.
Barcelona plot shock Erling Haaland move from Manchester City: Reports
Barcelona are reportedly plotting a shock move for Erling Haaland, the Manchester City striker, in the summer of 2025, as per the report from Mundo Deportivo. The agent of the 23-year-old, Rafaela Pimenta, met with Deco, the Sporting Director of Barcelona, last month, sparking rumours about the blockbuster deal going down in just over a year.
Ivan Toney could become option for Manchester United in summer: Reports
Ivan Toney could reportedly become an option for Manchester United to sign in the summer, once they decide on bringing in either an experienced striker or a youngster in the position. Fabrizio Romano, one of the most reliable football news experts in the world, also remarked that it’s certainly easy to see Ivan Toney, the Brentford striker, being a good fit for Manchester United.
Some major results in football are as under:
UEFA Euro 2024 Qualifying Playoffs
Ukraine 2-1 Iceland
Wales 0-0 (4-5) Poland
Georgia 0-0 (4-2) Greece
FIFA World Cup 2026 Asia Qualifying
India 1-2 Afghanistan
Lebanon 0-5 Australia
International Friendlies
England 2-2 Belgium
Germany 2-1 Netherlands
Slovenia 2-0 Portugal
Spain 3-3 Brazil
Tennis
Novak Djokovic parts ways with coach Goran Ivanisevic
The world number one, Novak Djokovic, has split with the coach Goran Ivanisevic two years after bringing him to his backroom staff, which saw him win the record Grand Slam singles titles in men’s tennis. In his Instagram post to make the announcement, the 36-year-old was quoted as saying, “Goran and I decided to stop working together a few days ago. Our on-court chemistry had its ups and downs, but our friendship was always rock solid.”
Victoria Azarenka reaches semi-final of Miami Open
The former world number one, Victoria Azarenka, reached the semi-final of the Miami Open after defeating Yulia Putinseva from Kazakhstan in three gruelling sets. The 27th seed from Belarus took nearly three hours to win the quarter-final with a scoreline of 7-6 (7-4), 1-6, 6-3, setting up a clash against Elena Rybakina, another Kazakhstan player.
Formula One
Aston Martin to not appeal penalty against Fernando Alonso from Australian GP
Aston Martin will not be appealing the decision from the FIA to hand a 20-second penalty to their driver Fernando Alonso for “potentially dangerous” driving last weekend at the Australian GP. The 42-year-old broke unusually early into turn six at Albert Park during the second last lap, which saw the Mercedes driver, George Russell, who was very close behind him, crash out of the race.