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In the world of football, Robert Lewandowski scored a late winner to secure a vital 2-1 win for Barcelona against Celta Vigo in La Liga. World number 1 tennis star Iga Swiatek defeated Elena Ryabakina to clinch the third straight Qatar Open title. Swiatek beat the fourth-ranked player 7-6 (8), 6-2 in the final. Indian chief badminton coach Pullela Gopichand heaped praise on Indian badminton teen prodigy Anmol Kharb.
Read below to learn details about these top stories and other happenings in the sporting world in the last 24 hours.
Football
Robert Lewandowski’s late winner secures 2-1 result for Barcelona against Celta Vigo
Robert Lewandowski converted a retaken penalty in the 97th minute to help Barcelona secure a vital 2-1 result for Barcelona against Celta Vigo to consolidate third place in the La Liga standings. The Polish striker put Barcelona in the lead at the end of the first half before Iago Aspas scored the leveller for Celta Vigo with a deflected strike just a couple of minutes after the restart.
Remote control cars halt Bundesliga 2 match in Germany
A Bundesliga 2 match between Hansa and Hamburger SV got halted at the Ostseestadion for a few minutes after two control cars equipped with flares invaded the pitch. In the past few weeks in Germany, the fans have been protesting against the DFL for allowing a private equity investor to potentially purchase a part of the Bundesliga.
Paris Saint-Germain shortlist Marcus Rashford as potential replacement for Kylian Mbappe: Reports
Paris Saint-Germain have reportedly shortlisted the Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford as a potential replacement for Kylian Mbappe, who is set to leave them at the end of the season, as per the Times. Ever since Kylian Mbappe spoke to PSG about his intention to walk out as a free agent when his contract runs out at the end of the current season, the French champions have been linked with some of the biggest players in the world to replace him.
Chelsea willing to trigger £111m release clause to sign Victor Osimhen: Reports
Chelsea are reportedly willing to trigger the £111m release clause to sign the Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, who is their main target to strengthen their attack in the summer, as per Rudy Galetti. The English club will be approaching Napoli soon to negotiate the payment structure to bring in Victor Osimhen, speeding things up with anticipation of Paris Saint-Germain competing for him.
Some major results in football are as under:
Premier League 2023-24
Brentford 1-4 Liverpool
Burnley 0-5 Arsenal
Manchester City 1-1 Chelsea
La Liga 2023-24
Atletico Madrid 5-0 Las Palmas
Celta Vigo 1-2 Barcelona
Bundesliga 2023-24
Heidenheim 1-2 Bayer Leverkusen
VfL Wolfsburg 1-1 Borussia Dortmund
Serie A 2023-24
Napoli 1-1 Genoa
Hellas Verona 2-2 Juventus
Ligue 1 2023-24
Nantes 0-2 Paris Saint-Germain
Eredivisie 2023-24
Fortuna Sittard 1-2 AZ Alkmaar
Saudi Pro League 2023-24
Al-Nassr 2-1 Al-Fateh
Tennis
Iga Swiatek third straight Qatar Open, defeats Elena Ryabakina in final
World number 1 tennis star Iga Swiatek defeated Elena Ryabakina to clinch the third straight Qatar Open title. Swiatek beat the fourth-ranked player 7-6 (8), 6-2 in the final. This was Swiatek’s first title of the year and 18th career singles title. Before her Serena Williams was the last woman to win a WTA event three consecutive times. Ryabakina fell short in the effort to clinch her third title of the year. She had come to the tournament on the back of a win in Abu Dhabi after winning in Brisbane in January 2024.
I played good tennis but I am far from my true level: Carlos Alcaraz on SF exit in BuenosAires
Carlos Alcaraz admitted being far from the best after the semifinal defeat to Nicolas Jarry in ATP Buenos Aires on Saturday. This was his first tournament since he lost in the QF of the Australian Open 2024. After the 7-6 (7/2), 6-3 loss, the reigning Wimbledon champion said, “It’s a difficult defeat for me. It really hurts. There are lots of things to improve. I played good tennis but I am far from my true level.” He added, “It was a complicated tournament, the first on clay for a long time. I didn’t take the opportunities I had, I didn’t play the tie-break well and it shows.”
Badminton
No one expected us to win gold: Badminton Asia Team Championships 2024 gold medal winner Anmol Kharb
Indian shuttler Anmol Kharb, who played a significant role in ensuring India a historic gold at the Badminton Asia Team Championship, said that they didn’t expect clinching the yellow metal. The 17-year-old shuttler told Khel Now, “No one expected us to win gold. Our first goal was to top the group stage so that we would be in a better position to win a medal. We didn’t expect it (the medal) will be gold. I’m very happy that we bagged the gold medal because it’s the first time we have won the Asian Team championships. It feels like we have scripted history over here. It’s a really big thing for India.”
Pullela Gopichand calls Anmol Kharb ‘intelligent and fearless’
Indian chief badminton coach Pullela Gopichand heaped praise on Indian badminton teen prodigy Anmol Kharb. Former world champion Pullela Gopichand told PTI, “I think the result of the two matches is a testimony that she can beat top players. To take the pressure on and show that kind of nerve, is very refreshing. She is reading the game well, you can see her intelligence. She played beautifully. Of course, opponents will read her game in time and that’s where she needs to rework on her mistakes but she has been phenomenal. She is fearless. The kind of strokes that she plays, all come naturally to her. She fought really well and she is naturally brave and intelligent.”
Formula 1
Max Verstappen reveals Ronaldo-inspired reason for not having tattoos
Max Verstappen revealed an interesting reason for not having any tattoos on his body. The Begian-Verstappen was in a segment of an interview, where he answered the most searched questions about him. Revealing that he doesn't have tattoos, Verstappen said, said, “No, I actually read quite an interesting story about why Ronaldo doesn’t have tattoos, right? So, he can donate blood.” It means that the racer actively donates blood and has been inspired by one of the greatest footballers of all time to do so. Other questions asked to Verstappen included, Does Max Verstappen stream? Does Max Verstappen have siblings? Does Verstappen drink Red Bull? and more?
