In a remarkable display of skill and tenacity, R Praggnanandhaa clinched victory at the Grand Chess Tour Finals in St. Louis, overturning a daunting six-point deficit against renowned competitor Fabiano Caruana. This landmark win not only made him the first Indian champion of the Grand Chess Tour but also earned him a hefty prize of $200,000, solidifying his status in the chess world.from Sports News: Cricket Live Scorecard, Latest Cricket News, Football, NBA, NFL, WWE, NHL, MLB News & More https://ift.tt/dKeZftC
The Champions League draw is set, with 36 teams facing eight league-phase opponents each. Arsenal meet Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, while Manchester City face PSG and Barcelona. Liverpool draw Atlético Madrid and Inter Milan, and Manchester United return with Bayern Munich. Aston Villa also face PSG and Barcelona, setting up a league phase packed with blockbuster fixtures.
UEFA is seeking evidence in the United States as it considers criminal proceedings in Switzerland against FIFA president Gianni Infantino over the abandoned FIFA Forward Enterprise plan. UEFA alleges the proposal undervalued FIFA’s commercial assets, was developed secretly, and could have harmed FIFA and its members. The dispute intensifies pressure on Infantino ahead of FIFA’s 2027 presidential election.
India's prospects in the second Test against Sri Lanka loom uncertain as rain delays threaten their World Test Championship ambitions. A draw would see India slipping to fifth place, jeopardizing their path to the finals. With limited matches left, the team must secure victories to enhance their standing and continue competing at the highest level in the championships.
FIFA’s mandatory three-minute hydration breaks at the 2026 World Cup have sparked criticism for disrupting match flow and turning halves into “quarters.” Former England goalkeeper Ben Foster fears commercial incentives could see similar breaks introduced in the Champions League and eventually the Premier League, despite the Premier League rejecting mandatory breaks for 2026-27.
Al Nassr produced a stunning comeback against Al Ettifaq despite being reduced to 10 men after goalkeeper Bento was sent off in the 12th minute. After falling 2-0 behind and losing Cristiano Ronaldo at half-time, Sadio Mané scored twice while João Félix inspired the comeback, securing a dramatic 3-2 victory and maintaining Al Nassr’s perfect start.
Bruno Fernandes has completed a clean sweep of major individual awards after being named PFA Players’ Player of the Year for his outstanding 2025-26 season. The Manchester United captain broke the Premier League assist record with 21, scored nine goals and helped United finish third. He is the club’s first PFA Players’ Player winner since Wayne Rooney in 2010.
Former Manchester City midfielder Gareth Barry believes Erling Haaland could eventually leave the club if their dominance and trophy success decline. Despite his contract until 2034, Barry says Haaland may seek a new challenge if City struggle over the next two seasons. He also expects Arsenal to be favourites for the Premier League following City’s major changes.
Former Manchester United and Serie A forward Giuseppe Rossi has warned that Neymar joining Inter Miami would boost MLS commercially but do little to improve its footballing quality. While he supports a reunion with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, Rossi criticised MLS for prioritising superstar signings, clicks and club valuations over developing the league’s overall sporting standard.
Salman Butt defended Pakistan's cricket team against harsh British media criticism. He argued the team never claimed to be world champions or a dominant force. Butt highlighted England's diverse player origins while defending Pakistan's homegrown talent. England secured a significant innings victory over Pakistan in the first Test. This defeat marked a new era for the English team after coaching changes.
Former Indian cricketers expressed their disappointment over Yashasvi Jaiswal's fiery exchange with Sri Lanka's Asitha Fernando during the second Test match, which followed Jaiswal's dismissal. Both players faced fines and demerit points from the ICC as a consequence. Pujara and Raman highlighted the impact of Jaiswal's frustration on the incident, while Karim emphasized the importance of setting a positive example for young cricket enthusiasts.
Max Verstappen's Dutch Grand Prix ended early after a first-lap crash on a damp track. Lando Norris capitalised on the chaos, securing a crucial victory for his title hopes. Norris made a daring overtake to take the lead and hold it until the finish. Kimi Antonelli finished second, with George Russell completing the podium. The Dutch Grand Prix is departing the Formula 1 calendar after this season.