Credit: X
In the world of football, Barcelona and Real Madrid will go head-to-head in the final of the Spanish Super Cup after the Catalan giants disposed of Osasuna by 2-0 in the semi-final. India’s Sumit Nagal made his way through to the main draw of the Australian Open 2024 of men’s singles on January 12, Friday. Pistol shooter Rhythm Sangwan booked India’s 16th spot in the Paris Olympics 2024.
Catch major headlines and other happenings of the sporting world in today's sports wrap.
Football
Gambia football squad falls unconscious after mid-air oxygen supply fault
The Gambia football team narrowly escaped death in a scary incident after their technical fault when they were travelling to the Africa Cup of Nations. The team was travelling to Gambia to Ivory Coast for the tournament and they overcame some challenging issues. The squad was just minutes into their flight when the pilot of their charter plane announced an emergency landing. The plane faced some issues and hence, it was forced to turn around and make an emergency landing. Not only this, but the oxygen supply on the plane dropped significantly, and the passengers were forced to sit in stiflingly hot conditions.
Barcelona sets up “El Clasico” with Real Madrid in Spanish Super Cup final
After Barcelona defeated Osasuna by 2-0 in the semi-final of the Spanish Super Cup at the King Saud University Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, they set up the final of the competition with Real Madrid on Sunday, January 14. Earlier, in the other semi-final of the 40th edition of the annual Spanish football competition, Real Madrid got the better of their city rivals Atletico Madrid by 5-3 after extra time.
Radu Dragusin signs for Tottenham from Genoa for £25m
The Romanian defender Radu Dragusin has signed a deal to join Tottenham from Genoa for £25m in the January transfer window to bolster their defensive side of things. The current contract for the 21-year-old, who has earned 13 caps for Romania in his short international career, is going to keep him with the North London club until the summer of 2030 after he played half the matches during the ongoing season for Genoa in the Serie A.
Everton want £60m to sell Amadou Onana: Reports
After spending £33m on the defensive midfielder Amadou Onana, Everton is reportedly looking to earn nearly double their initial investment, wanting £60m for the Belgium player with fellow Premier League rivals Arsenal, Manchester United, and Chelsea keen on the move. As per INews report, Arsenal, who are most interested in bringing Amadou Onana to North London, have a potential FFP restriction to deal with, with an insider stating that “they have no money to spend” without outgoings.
Real Madrid senior officials believe club should sign Victor Osimhen instead of Kylian Mbappe: Reports
As per the report from the Football Transfers, the senior officials at Real Madrid believe that the club should sign the Napoli striker from Nigeria Victor Osimhen instead of the Frenchman Kylian Mbappe, Paris Saint-Germain forward. Notably, the 25-year-old footballer from France, who won the FIFA World Cup in 2018, will be out of contract with PSG at the end of the ongoing football season, which is why it is highly likely that he will complete a long-awaited move to the Spanish giants Real Madrid.
Some major results in football:
International Friendlies
Morocco 3-1 Sierra Leone
Coppa Italia 2023-24
Juventus 4-0 Frosinone
Spanish Super Cup 2024
Barcelona 2-0 Osasuna
Shooting
Rhythm Sangwan books India’s 16th Paris Olympics 2024 quota in shooting
Pistol shooter Rhythm Sangwan booked India’s 16th spot in the Paris Olympics 2024. Sangwan won the bronze medal in the 25m pistol final of the Asian Olympic Qualifier in Jakarta. As Rhythm stood third in the competition, she won India’s record spot shooting at the global masterpiece. India’s previous biggest contingent India was 15 at the Tokyo Olympics. After the event, Sangwan said, “I think it’s really important to win the quota place for the country. Every day, we aim to stay calm at whatever stage we compete and today was such a day. Every one of the 16 quota place winners for India would hope to carry the fine form ahead to seal their place for Paris and that’s what I too would be aiming for.”
Tennis
Sumit Nagal Qualifies for second Australian Open main draw; first in three years
India’s Sumit Nagal made his way through to the main draw of the Australian Open 2024 of men’s singles on January 12, Friday. The Indian secured a gritty 6-4, 6-4 win over Slovakia’s Alex Molcan on Court 3 in the last round of the qualifiers in a thrilling encounter that lasted for two hours and three minutes. This will be Nagal’s second main draw appearance at the Australian Open, first in three years, and fourth overall at a Grand Slam event. The last time that Nagal played a Grand Slam main draw was in Australian Open 2021 where he lost 2-6, 5-7, 3-6 to Lithuania’s Ricardas Berankis.
Book your flight home on the best price: Nick Kyrgios' gives hilarious advice to Novak Djokovic’s opponents at AO 2024
Nick Kyrgios gave hilarious advice to Novak Djokovic’s opponents at the Australian Open 2024 and said that they should book their return tickets in advance. Djokovic is the top seed in the Australian Open draw for men's singles. On the other hand, Kyrgios will be out of the tournament for the second consecutive year due to injuries. In a video posted on the official page of the tournament, Kyrgios could be heard saying, "You just book your flight home at the best price,” suggesting that nobody has got a chance to stay against the 24-time Grand Slam champion.
Melbourne went back into lockdown at midnight: Taylor Fritz's girlfriend on loss to Novak Djokovic in AO 2021
Taylor Fritz's girlfriend Morgan Riddle recalled his loss to Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open amid the COVID-19 lockdown in the year 2021. The Serb finished the final set to secure a 7-6 (1), 6-4, 3-6, 4-6, 6-2 victory. Recalling the loss, Riddle said, "Tbt to 2021 when Taylor played Novak in this arena but then Melbourne went back into lockdown at midnight. So mid-match just before the 5th set, they evacuated the entire stadium except for team members in the box so it went from the loudest most insane atmosphere to crickets and then Taylor lost. Nice.”
