Sports
France Dominates Argentina in Thrilling Olympics Men’s Sevens Clash
In an electrifying display of skill and teamwork, France defeated Argentina to secure a place in the semi-finals of the Olympics men’s sevens rugby tournament, thrilling a passionate Parisian crowd. The match was not only a sporting contest but also a chance for France to assert its dominance over Argentina, following tensions between the two nations.
Aaron Grandidier, a London-born wing with an English father and a French mother, was the star of the show, scoring two spectacular tries that contributed to France’s 26-14 victory. His performance set the tone for jubilant celebrations as Les Bleus advanced to the next stage of the competition.
The backdrop to this rivalry stems from recent football encounters, where French fans were upset by Argentina’s perceived excessive celebrations after their 2022 World Cup win. This led to a hostile reception for the Argentine team at the Stade de France during the Olympic event, adding intensity to Thursday’s quarter-final.
The French team harnessed the energy of their home crowd, with back-rower Andy Timo scoring the opening try just two minutes into the match. Grandidier then followed with two impressive tries down the right wing, while Rayan Rebbadj added the conversions, giving France a commanding 21-0 lead at halftime, despite key player Antoine Dupont starting on the bench.
Argentina mounted a spirited comeback in the second half with tries from Rodrigo Isgro and Marcos Moneta, narrowing the gap to 21-14. Joaquin Pellandini’s successful conversions added to the tension, but France held firm to secure their victory.
Next, France will face South Africa, who delivered a stunning 14-7 victory over New Zealand, in the semi-finals on Saturday. Meanwhile, Ireland’s quest for an Olympic medal came to a heart-wrenching end as they fell 19-15 to the reigning two-time gold medalists, Fiji. Despite leading 15-12 in the second half, Ireland couldn’t withstand Fiji’s late surge, which set up a semi-final clash with Australia.
The Wallabies demonstrated their prowess with an 18-0 triumph over the United States in the last quarter-final match of the day. With the semi-finals set, rugby fans are eagerly anticipating the thrilling encounters ahead as the tournament continues to showcase the best of the sport on the Olympic stage.
Sports
Tottenham Crush Manchester City in Historic Etihad Triumph
James Maddison inspired Tottenham Hotspur to a sensational 4-0 victory over Manchester City, ending the hosts’ incredible 52-match unbeaten streak at the Etihad Stadium. This marks City’s first five-game losing run since 2006 and their heaviest home defeat since 2003.
Maddison delivered a stellar performance, scoring twice to put City on the back foot. Pedro Porro added a third with a clinical finish, while Brennan Johnson sealed the emphatic win with a last-minute goal, capping an unforgettable night for Ange Postecoglou’s side.
Despite missing key players and coming off a disappointing loss to Ipswich, Tottenham defied expectations with a disciplined and clinical display. Postecoglou’s team, featuring a youthful bench, rose to the occasion and moved up to sixth in the league, just four points behind City.
The result leaves City in second place, vulnerable to an eight-point gap if league leaders Liverpool win at Southampton on Sunday. The loss will heighten pressure on Guardiola, who recently signed a two-year extension, as City looks to regroup after this alarming dip in form.
Sports
Everton Held to Frustrating Draw Against 10-Man Brentford
Everton endured a disappointing goalless draw against Brentford in the Premier League, failing to capitalize on a second-half numerical advantage after Christian Norgaard’s red card.
Sean Dyche’s side, with just two wins this season, remains three points above the relegation zone. Despite only one loss in their last eight matches, their inconsistent form continues to leave them precariously close to danger.
The Toffees started strongly at Goodison Park, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin testing Brentford’s goalkeeper, Mark Flekken. Flekken delivered a stunning save to deny Calvert-Lewin’s flicked header and later blocked another attempt at the near post.
Brentford almost scored against the run of play through Yoane Wissa, but Everton’s Jordan Pickford made a crucial save with his outstretched leg. Momentum appeared to shift when Norgaard was sent off late in the first half for a dangerous knee-high tackle on Pickford. Referee Chris Kavanagh reviewed the incident on the pitchside monitor before showing the red card.
Despite their one-man advantage, Everton struggled to break down a resolute Brentford defense in the second half. Idrissa Gueye’s long-range strike was expertly saved by Flekken, while Vitaliy Mykolenko squandered a golden opportunity from close range.
Brentford nearly stole a victory late on, but Keane Lewis-Potter’s effort was straight at Pickford. Thomas Frank’s side earned their first away point of the season, climbing to 10th in the table.
Sports
Murray to coach Djokovic at Australian Open 2025
Andy Murray, Britain’s three-time Grand Slam champion, is set to coach Novak Djokovic at the 2025 Australian Open, marking a surprising and historic collaboration between two former rivals.
Murray, who retired in August after a stellar 19-year career, expressed excitement about his new role. “I’m looking forward to spending time on the same side of the net as Novak for a change,” he said. This will be Murray’s debut as a coach since retiring from professional tennis.
The partnership begins during the off-season as they prepare for the Australian Open, scheduled for January 12–26, 2025. Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam winner and 10-time Australian Open champion, has famously defeated Murray in four Melbourne finals.
The announcement was accompanied by a playful video posted by Djokovic on X (formerly Twitter), captioned: “He never liked retirement anyway.” The video featured highlights of their legendary matches, underscoring the depth of their rivalry.
Reflecting on their journey, Djokovic said: “We played each other since we were boys—25 years of rivalry and pushing each other to our limits. I thought our story was over, but it turns out there’s one more chapter. It’s time for one of my toughest opponents to step into my corner.”
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