Brazil forward Raphinha scored twice to help Barcelona secure a 3-2 win at Paris St Germain in a lively Champions League quarter-final first leg on Wednesday, earning the Spanish side their first win in the knockout stage in four years.
PSG forward Kylian Mbappe was nowhere to be found in Parc des Princes as five-times European champions Barca managed to neutralise France’s captain, who was often frustrated in his attempts up front.
PSG came into the match unbeaten in their last 27 games in all competitions but were undone by a fired-up Barcelona side looking to return the club to the summit of European football.
After a glorious run from 2005-15, winning four Champions League titles, Barca failed to get past the last 16 in Europe’s elite competition in three consecutive seasons after being humiliated 8-2 by Bayern Munich in the 2019-20 quarter-finals.
“We should be proud to say that Barca is alive,” manager Xavi Hernandez told reporters.
“We understood how we had to work against one of the best teams in the world. It’s a small advantage but a victory that generates even more excitement in our city and within our fans.”
Xavi’s side dominated proceedings early on against the French side still looking for a first Champions League crown. Raphinha gave the visitors the lead with a rebound strike in the 37th minute after goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma failed to clear a cross from his box.
Donnarumma looked nervous throughout the match, showing bad timing and making errors that almost led to Barcelona scoring the opener earlier in the first half.
However, PSG looked transformed after the break with manager Luis Enrique, a former Barca player and coach, switching things up and bringing on forward Bradley Barcola for Marco Asensio.
The attacking change resulted in the equaliser in the 48th minute when former Barca winder Ousmane Dembele smashed the ball into the top corner afterscooping a rebound inside the box and making a quick cut to his left, before unleashing a unstoppable shot between three defenders.
Barca were still reeling when the hosts took the lead through Vitinha who stroked the ball in two minutes later from a quick counter attack and substitute Bradley Barcola almost scored the third minutes later when his close-range strike hit the cross bar.
But Raphinha’s deft volley in the 62nd minute from a brilliant long pass by substitute Pedri brought the match level again, silencing the home crowd.
Andreas Christensen came off the bench to take advantage of a static Donnarumma to jump unchallenged in the six-yard-box and head in from a corner 13 minutes from time to give the Spanish side a narrow advantage going into next week’s second leg.
“It was a spectacular night, not only for me, but for the team as well,” Raphinha told reporters.
“We have been working very hard to come out and play like we did, showing our grit with such a good atmosphere is a very positive sign moving forward.”
The final of 2024 Abu Dhabi T10 tournament between Deccan Gladiators and Morrisville Samp Army that was played at Zayed Cricket Stadium turned out to be a complete entertainer for the spectators. Chasing 105, Gladiators unleashed some fireworks and gunned down the target by 8 wickets and with more than three overs to spare.
They were off to a flying start as opener and England batter Tom Kohler-Cadmore took on skipper Rohan Mustafa in the very first over. Cadmore smashed four fours on the trot to begin the chase in first over while his opening partner and skipper Nicholas Pooran joined the party soon.
Pooran who hails from West Indies dominated Pakistan spinner Imad Wasim as Gladiators collected 20 runs in third over and went past the 50-run mark. The left-handed batter was eventually dismissed for 28 off 10 by pacer Isuru Udana after Mustafa took a blinder in the deep but that didn’t really help Samp Army as Cadmore continued with his aggressive batting display and notched up a fifty.
Earlier, Morrisville Samp Army never really got the start they wanted and lost wickets in regular succession to get reduced to 81/5. It was a late surge from Afghanistan’s Karim Janat who chipped in with 16 off 8 in final overs of the innings that took the total to 104/7 in 10 overs. Faf du Plessis top-scored with 34 off 23 while wicket-keeper batter Andries Gous struck 21 off 9. England pacer Richard Gleeson returned with figures of 2/16 in two overs for Deccan Gladiators.
Cabinet Member and Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahyan’s speech during mid innings became the highlight of the day. Spectators at Zayed Cricket Stadium also got to witness an electrifying performance from Elnaaz Norouzi during the title clash.
Deccan Gladiators have been crowned the champions of Abu Dhabi T10 League for the third time.
2nd December 2024: Morrisville Samp Army secured their place in the final of the 2024 Abu Dhabi T10, setting up a much-anticipated rematch with the Deccan Gladiators. The dramatic clash at Zayed Cricket Stadium saw USA international Andries Gous anchor the chase of a modest 90-run target, despite a fiery Delhi Bulls bowling display. Gous’s determined 38-run knock stood out as wickets tumbled around him, and he even shrugged off a helmet strike from Pakistan pacer Salman Irshad to keep his team in contention.
However, Irshad briefly swung the momentum Delhi’s way, taking two crucial wickets in consecutive deliveries to dismiss Gous and Karim Janat. With 30 runs needed off the final three overs and only five wickets in hand, Samp Army were under pressure.
Enter England’s Jack Taylor and Pakistan’s Imad Wasim, who steadied the innings before unleashing a barrage of boundaries to seal the win with three balls to spare. Taylor’s unbeaten 23 off 11 balls proved decisive as the Samp Army clinched victory by five wickets.
Earlier in the match, the Samp Army bowling attack dismantled the Delhi Bulls’ batting line-up. Sri Lankan veteran Isuru Udana delivered a stellar performance, taking 3/17 in his two overs, while Afghanistan spinner Amir Hamza contributed with 2/22. The disciplined effort restricted the Bulls to a paltry 89/7 in their 10 overs, earning Udana the Player of the Match accolade.
With this win, Morrisville Samp Army are now poised for a thrilling final showdown against the Deccan Gladiators, as they look to cap off their campaign with glory.
1st December 2024: England’s Tom Banton lit up the Zayed Cricket Stadium with a scintillating performance, propelling the Delhi Bulls into the second Qualifier of the Abu Dhabi T10’s eighth edition. Banton smashed an explosive 73 off just 26 balls in the second Eliminator against Team Abu Dhabi, a knock studded with 9 towering sixes that left the crowd in awe.
Skipper Rovman Powell added a late flourish with an unbeaten 20 off just 6 balls, helping the Bulls register the season’s highest score—158/3 in 10 overs—setting an imposing target for the hosts.
Chasing 159, Team Abu Dhabi struggled under the mounting asking rate. Pakistan’s Fazalhaq Farooqi and Salman Irshad delivered a disciplined bowling display, stifling England’s Jonny Bairstow and limiting his impact. Despite Leus du Plooy’s fiery cameo of 32 off 12 balls, Team Abu Dhabi fell short, managing only 116/7, losing by a hefty 42 runs.
Earlier in the day, the Bulls extended their tournament run by eliminating UP Nawabs in the first Eliminator. Banton starred again, smashing an unbeaten 50 off 22 balls to chase down a modest 100-run target in just 7.1 overs. Bowlers Muhammad Rohid and Fazalhaq Farooqi were instrumental in restricting the Nawabs to 99/7, paving the way for an emphatic 8-wicket victory.
With back-to-back dominant performances, Delhi Bulls remain in the hunt for their maiden Abu Dhabi T10 title.
Announcements7 months ago
Announcements6 months ago
Entertainment6 months ago