sport

MADRID: Rodrygo scored an 89th-minute winner as Real Madrid defeated Rayo Vallecano 2-1 in a Spanish league match marked by tributes to Madrid forward Vinicius Junior on Wednesday. It was Madrid’s first game since the latest case of racial abuse against Vinicius, who considered leaving the field Sunday after being insulted by Valencia fans. Rodrygo celebrated by raising his right fist above his head in a stance against racism. He dedicated the goal to his Brazil teammate.

KUWAIT CITY: The Arab Gulf Cup Football Federation announced on Wednesday that Kuwait will host the 26th Gulf Cup in December 2024, the Kuwait News Agency reported. It will be the fifth time Kuwait has hosted the competition following previous tournaments in 1974, 1990, 2003, and 2017. Kuwait holds the record for Gulf Cup titles having won the championship 10 times. In January, Iraq organized and won the 25th Gulf Cup, defeating Oman 3-2 in the final to lift the trophy for the first time since 1988.

LeBron James, renowned as the court’s King, has once again exhibited his mastery in controlling the media narrative. Despite the Los Angeles Lakers’ 4-0 series loss to the Denver Nuggets, James skillfully steered attention toward retirement during the post-game press conference following the decisive fourth game. This strategic maneuver distracted from the Lakers’ defeat and the outstanding performance by Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets.

ATHENS: Police have issued a ban on traveling fans ahead of the Greek Cup final later on Wednesday because of fears of violence, despite an order for the match to be played without supporters in the stadium. League champion AEK Athens face PAOK in the central city of Volos after the authorities took several months to find a venue. Regional police chief Giorgis Dizes thanked the two clubs for publicly requesting that fans respect the ban.

RIYADH: Gamers Without Borders, the world’s largest charitable esports event, has concluded this year’s edition by raising a total of $10 million for its humanitarian aid partners. The money will go to Direct Relief, International Medical Corps, UNICEF, King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center, the UN’s World Food Programme and the UNHCR. The donations were made by teams, players and gamers worldwide. The funds will be used for urgent humanitarian projects and add to the work achieved through the $30 million in donations from the GWB’s three previous editions.

CHENNAI, India: Chennai Super Kings powered their way to a record-breaking 10th Indian Premier League final with a 15-run win over defending champion Gujarat Titans in the playoffs on Tuesday. Gujarat will have another chance to meet Chennai in the final when they take on the winner of Wednesday’s playoff between Mumbai Indians and Lucknow Super Giants. Opening batter Ruturaj Gaikwad top-scored in the match with 60 off 44 balls before cameos from the Chennai middle-order batters guided the home team to 172-7.

RIYADH: Cristiano Ronaldo saved his best goal since arriving in Saudi Arabia for when Al-Nassr needed it most on Tuesday, scoring the decisive strike in a dramatic 3-2 victory against Al-Shabab. The Yellows found themselves 2-0 down in this crucial Riyadh Derby that they had to win and a spectacular second half strike from the five-time Ballon D’Or winner did just that.