SPORTS - Page 29

Justin Verlander turned in a vintage performance, taking a shutout into the ninth inning as the Houston Astros defeated the host Seattle Mariners 5-1 on Monday night to extend their lead in the race for the American League’s third and final wild-card playoff berth. Yordan Alvarez and Kyle Tucker homered for the Astros, who snapped a three-game losing streak and moved 1 1/2 games ahead of the Mariners, who lost their fourth in a row. Houston remains 2 1/2 games

Wales marched into the quarter-finals at the World Cup with a crushing 40-6 victory over Australia on Sunday, leaving the twice-world champion Wallabies heading for a pool stage exit for the first time. Scrumhalf Gareth Davies, center Nick Tompkins, and flanker Jac Morgan all scored tries, with replacement flyhalf Gareth Anscombe banging over six penalties, a conversion, and a drop goal to give the Welsh a third win in their Pool C matches. The ruthless display was the heaviest defeat

Marco Bezzecchi produced the perfect ride to win the inaugural Indian Grand Prix at Greater Noida’s Buddh International Circuit. The Mooney VR46 Racing rider was dominant from start to finish at the front as he left the chasing pack in his wake. Championship leader Francesco Bagnaia finished second on his Ducati for a hat-trick of podium finishes this season. At the same time, Jorge Martin closed the gap to the Italian at the top of the standings. Bagnaia and Bezzecchi

In a thrilling match that showcased Manchester City’s resilience and determination, the Premier League giants secured a 2-0 victory over Nottingham Forest, maintaining their flawless start to the season. However, the game had moments of drama, as Manchester City had to overcome the challenge of playing with ten men following Rodri’s red card. Let’s dive into the action-packed encounter and how Manchester City emerged victorious. The match began with a blistering pace, with both teams displaying their attacking intent. Manchester

A late penalty gives embattled Spain a 3-2 win over the world’s number one-ranked team, Sweden, in their Nations League Group A game on Friday. Mariona Caldentey struck from the spot deep into second-half stoppage time to give the Spanish a boost after a week blighted by uncertainty caused by the continued fall-out from their World Cup win. The Spaniards are still trying to find a new identity after losing their star players and enduring a sexism scandal involving former

This week, Arsenal’s Champions League group stage win provided confidence ahead of Sunday’s game against rivals Tottenham Hotspur. However, manager Mikel Arteta stated that the team only requires extra motivation before a north London derby. Arteta’s Gunners are off to a flying start this season, having won all of their first five Premier League games and making a triumphant return to the Champions League on Wednesday night, defeating PSV Eindhoven 4-0. Despite the impressive start to the season, many Gunners

World champions Argentina strengthened their grip at the top of the FIFA world rankings in the latest list on Thursday. The top five remained unchanged after the international break as Lionel Messi’s side continued their quest to become the first team ever to retain the World Cup title. Six years after last topping the standings, the South American outfit moved up one spot following wins over Panama (2-0) and Curacao (7-0). They dethroned Brazil (3rd, minus 2), who paid the

Cristiano Ronaldo may have returned to Manchester United in 2021, 12 years after leaving for Real Madrid. Still, the club’s caretaker boss, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, has admitted that the decision “felt right but was wrong.” Solskjaer has revealed that he believes the addition of the five-time Ballon d’Or winner brought in too many big-name players who didn’t fit his system and led to the team’s decline. The Norwegian replaced Jose Mourinho on an interim basis in December 2018, and after

Spain’s World Cup winning squad agreed to end their boycott of the national team early on Wednesday after the country’s football federation (RFEF) said it would make “immediate and profound changes” to its structure. In a joint statement, the players said they wished to return to the national team but demanded structural changes to ensure future generations’ success. The 15 members of ‘Las 15,’ as they are known have been outspoken in their criticism of the national setup since Jorge

The Premier League season continues to provide thrilling moments and unexpected results. In the latest round of fixtures, Arsenal secured a hard-fought victory over Everton, thanks to a brilliant goal from Leandro Trossard. Meanwhile, Chelsea struggled to find their scoring touch as Bournemouth held them to a frustrating goalless draw. Let’s delve into the details of these matches and analyze the teams’ performances. Arsenal’s clash with Everton promised to be an enticing encounter, and it certainly did not disappoint. Both