Sports
Man City ease into Champions League semis after Bayern draw
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AFP
Manchester City cruised into the Champions League semi-finals after a 1-1 draw at Bayern Munich on Wednesday secured a 4-1 aggregate win that moved them a step closer to an elusive first title in the competition.
City forward Erling Haaland, who had missed a first-half penalty, made amends in the 57th minute, drilling in his 48th goal in all competitions this season to kill off the tie before Bayern levelled with a Joshua Kimmich penalty in the 83rd.
It was City’s 15th consecutive game without defeat across all competitions and Pep Guardiola’s team, losing finalists in 2021, will next face holders Real Madrid in the last four.
It was also the 10th time Guardiola had reached the semi-finals as a coach, a new record.
“I am so happy to be three in a row semi-finals (with City),” Guardiola said. “I could not expect (Bayern) differently, you saw how good they are.”
“In this competition, it is the details. In these two games in the right moments we were there,” said Guardiola, who coached Bayern from 2013-16.
“In the second half, we adjusted some things and since minute one in the second half we felt were much, much more in control.”
Bayern always had a mountain to climb after losing 3-0 in the first leg, but got off to a strong start.
Kingsley Coman was a constant source of danger on the wing, keeping City defenders busy, and the hosts’ biggest chance came in the 17th minute when Leroy Sane latched on to a Jamal Musiala pass but dragged his shot wide with only keeper Ederson to beat.
The Bavarians, knocked out of the German Cup two weeks ago following coach Thomas Tuchel’s arrival, caught a break a minute later when defender Dayot Upamecano was initially sent off after receiving a straight red card for a last-man foul on Haaland.
A VAR review, however, confirmed the striker was offside and the Bayern defender’s dismissal was overturned.
Upamecano, who had been heavily criticised for his mistake that led to City’s second goal in the first leg, was less fortunate a little later when he was penalised for a handball.
Haaland sent his penalty high over the bar, a rare miss for the Norwegian striker this season, but he did much better after the restart.
After combining well with Kevin De Bruyne, Haaland shook off the embattled Upamecano, before beating keeper Yann Sommer, setting a new record having taken just 27 matches to reach 35 goals in Europe’s premier club competition.
City’s goal was the first Bayern conceded at home in the entire competition this season and the hosts, who have only the Bundesliga title left to play for, got an equaliser when Kimmich converted a spot kick.
“It is really annoying that we didn’t take the lead with all the chances that we had,” Kimmich said. I would have liked to see how this match had gone if we had made it 1-0 in the first half.”
Their frustrating evening was completed when Tuchel was sent off after a second booking in the 86th minute.
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Travellers arriving at Dubai International Airport are being greeted with a unique souvenir, a special stamp on their passports celebrating the Dubai World Cup 2026.
The initiative, launched by the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA), marks the 30th edition (Pearl Jubilee) of one of the world’s most prestigious horse racing events.
A grand sporting celebration
The iconic Dubai World Cup will take place on Saturday, March 28 at Meydan Racecourse, drawing global attention from racing fans and elite stables.
This year’s event promises high-stakes action:
- 100 horses from top international stables
- Nine races across the evening
- Total prize pool of $30.5 million
Spotlight on the main race
The highlight of the night is the $12 million Dubai World Cup race, sponsored by Emirates Airline.
Run over 2,000 metres on dirt, the Group 1 race will feature some of the world’s top thoroughbreds, including:
- “Hit Show” – last year’s winner
- “Forever Young” – UAE Derby and Saudi Cup champion
- “Imperial Emperor”
- “Meidan” – Super Saturday winner
A memorable arrival experience
The commemorative passport stamp adds a celebratory touch for visitors landing in Dubai, tying their arrival to one of the city’s biggest sporting spectacles.
With excitement building ahead of race day, Dubai is once again showcasing its ability to blend world-class sport with unique visitor experiences.
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Dubai airport welcomes travellers with special Dubai World Cup passport stamp
