Sports
Messi limps off early as Miami beat Necaxa in League Cup shootout
Lionel Messi’s night lasted just 11 minutes, but even without their captain, Inter Miami pulled off a gutsy comeback, outlasting Mexico’s Necaxa 5-4 on penalties after a pulsating 2-2 draw in the Leagues Cup on Saturday.
The 38-year-old Argentine superstar appeared to suffer a right leg injury – a hamstring issue – early in the first half at Chase Stadium.
After attempting a dribble near the top of the box, Messi stumbled into defender Alexis Pena and fell to the turf, slamming his hand down in frustration.
He managed to get up and continue briefly, but minutes later sat down alone near the halfway line, clearly in discomfort.
Trainers attended to him, focusing on his upper thigh, before he walked off under his own power and was replaced by Federico Redondo.
The exit marked the end of a 16-match run of consecutive appearances for Messi, his longest stretch of uninterrupted play since joining the club in July 2023.
Despite the early setback, Inter Miami struck first.
Just one minute after Messi left the field, Venezuelan midfielder Telasco Segovia put the Herons ahead in the 12th minute, finishing off a well-timed assist from Rodrigo De Paul, who was making only his second appearance for the club.
But the momentum shifted again when Inter Miami was reduced to 10 men after defender Maximiliano Falcon was shown a red card in the 17th minute for a reckless challenge.
Necaxa capitalized in the 33rd when Tomas Badaloni slotted home the equalizer, leveling the score at halftime.
The second half offered no respite. Necaxa also went down to 10 men after Cristian Calderon received a second yellow card in the 60th minute.
Then, with just under 10 minutes left in regulation, substitute Ricardo Monreal gave the visitors the lead, curling home a composed finish after coming on in the 74th minute.
Inter Miami looked down and out, but Jordi Alba had other ideas.
Deep into stoppage time, the veteran Spanish left back connected with De Paul’s curling free kick and sent a powerful header into the net to tie the match at 2-2, forcing a penalty shootout.
Miami, undeterred by their early misfortune, converted all five of their penalties.
Rocco Rios Novo made a crucial save on Badaloni in the third round, and Luis Suarez delivered the decisive blow with a confident strike into the top left corner to seal the win.
The result gave Inter Miami five points in the Leagues Cup group stage, putting them atop their group heading into their final match against Mexico’s Pumas on Wednesday.
The tournament, which features clubs from MLS and Mexico’s Liga MX, advances its top four teams from each league to the knockout stage.
For Messi, the timing of the injury is concerning.
Though he hasn’t scored in the current tournament, he had assisted on both goals in Miami’s opening win over Atlas and entered Saturday tied for the MLS lead with 18 goals this season.
He has also added nine assists in league play, and his recent stretch of uninterrupted availability had raised hopes that his earlier injury troubles were behind him.
However, Messi’s durability remains in question.
He missed large parts of the 2023 season with leg and hamstring issues and struggled again in 2024, notably during a prolonged recovery from a torn leg muscle sustained in Argentina’s Copa America final this past July.
Despite those challenges, Messi played in 19 MLS games last season, scoring 20 goals and providing 16 assists on his way to being named the league’s MVP.
Inter Miami, now two for two in group play, must wait to see whether Messi will be fit to lead them further.
Lewis Hamilton’s turbulent weekend in Hungary ended with more questions than answers and a firm promise that he’ll be back.
A day after calling himself “useless” and suggesting Ferrari should “find another driver,” the seven-time Formula One world champion finished a dismal 12th at the Hungarian Grand Prix – a race he’s won a record eight times.
Instead of redemption, Hamilton was lapped and stuck battling in the midfield, nowhere near the form expected from one of the sport’s all-time greats.
“Hopefully, I’ll be back,” Hamilton said tersely post-race, speaking to reporters with short, downbeat replies. “I look forward to coming back.”
The 40-year-old’s sharp self-criticism on Saturday – after being knocked out in Q2 and missing the final round of qualifying – raised eyebrows across the paddock. “It’s me every time. I’m useless. Absolutely useless,” Hamilton told reporters, sounding like a man in crisis. He even floated the idea that Ferrari might want to replace him.
But those closest to him – both past and present – rushed to his defense.
“He’s frustrated, but not demotivated,” Ferrari team boss Fred Vasseur said. “He’s demanding of himself, and that’s exactly why he’s a seven-time world champion.”
Hamilton’s teammate, Charles Leclerc, took pole but couldn’t convert it to a win, finishing fourth after facing mechanical issues.
Despite the result, Leclerc threw his support behind Hamilton.
“It’s been a tough weekend for Lewis, but we’re one team,” Leclerc said. “I have no doubt this is just a one-off. The second half of the season will be stronger.”
Vasseur acknowledged the fine margins that made Hamilton’s weekend appear worse than it was: “He was in front of Charles in Q1, and just a tenth off in Q2. With such close times, both cars could have missed Q3.”
Hamilton’s former Mercedes boss, Toto Wolff, also chimed in. “It was Lewis wearing his heart on his sleeve,” he said. “He’s always been emotionally transparent. He’s the GOAT, and nothing will change that.”
Wolff emphasized that Hamilton, still chasing a record eighth title after the controversial 2021 finale, has unfinished business in F1 – especially with new regulations and car designs coming in 2026.
“He shouldn’t go anywhere next year,” Wolff said. “There’s more to come.”
As speculation about Hamilton’s future swirls, one thing is certain: he’s not done yet. “I need a break from work,” Hamilton said, before heading into the summer shutdown. The next test? The Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort, closing out August.
Tottenham Hotspur captain Son Heung-min played his final match for the club before a packed crowd of 64,773 at Seoul World Cup Stadium on Sunday.
His teammate James Maddison was forced off with a knee injury during the game.
At 33, Son – contracted through 2026 – is expected to depart Spurs after a decade of service. He famously led the team to their first trophy in 17 years with the Europa League triumph over Manchester United last May.
The friendly against Newcastle United ended in a 1-1 draw. Spurs’ Brennan Johnson opened the scoring in the fourth minute, only for Newcastle’s Harvey Barnes to equalize in the 38th. Son was substituted in the 65th minute, making way for new signing Mohammed Kudus.
Son received a guard of honor from both Spurs and Newcastle players, along with a warm ovation from the crowd, as he bade a teary farewell. He is expected to stay in South Korea while the rest of the Spurs players fly to London.
“At first, I really didn’t think I was going to cry. But obviously, it is not easy leaving a team I’ve spent so much time with,” Son said.
“And hearing from all these players made me really emotional. I’ve had an unforgettable day thanks to all the fans, my teammates and my opponents. I feel so happy that I don’t think I will be able to sleep tonight.
“My career is not over yet, and I want to continue to bring [the fans] joy. I know I have more things I want to accomplish as a football player.”
Son joined the north London club from Bayer Leverkusen in 2015. Though he did not disclose his next destination, British media have linked him with a move to Major League Soccer club Los Angeles FC.
“Unbelievable scenes for Son from his teammates and the respect from the Newcastle players,” Spurs manager Thomas Frank said.
“First we had the walkaround and then the teammates gathered around and he was emotional. In the changing room it was more of the same… It was beautiful.”
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe said, “The reaction was instinctive from my players. It’s not just his talent but the way he has carried himself over the years. I think he’s seen as one of the game’s great Premier League players.”
Maddison came on in the 75th minute but went down off the ball, clutching his knee, and appeared to be in considerable discomfort. The 28-year-old England international was taken off on a stretcher around the 86th minute.
“We’re pretty sure it was the same knee he injured before. I think sometimes in life and football things can be both beautiful and brutal,” Frank said.
Maddison suffered an injury to the same knee in May and missed the final part of last season.
The club later announced the loan signing of midfielder Joao Palhinha from Fulham. The 30-year-old, who previously played in the Premier League for Fulham, joins until the end of next season with an option to make the move permanent.
Slovenian basketball star Luka Doncic signed a three-year contract extension with the Los Angeles Lakers worth a reported $165 million, the team announced Saturday.
Doncic, who joined the Lakers in a jaw-dropping trade earlier this year, will remain with the Lakers for the next three years through to 2028.
“Today is a monumental moment for our franchise. Luka Doncic’s future is with the Los Angeles Lakers,” President of Basketball Operations Rob Pelinka said in a statement.
“Luka is one of the game’s most transcendent players and his on-court dominance and passion is without compare,” Pelinka added.
The 26-year-old expressed delight at the deal, saying he hoped to lead the Lakers back to the summit of the NBA.
“I’m really grateful to the Lakers organization, my teammates and the fans for welcoming me and my family with so much support and kindness since day one,” said Doncic.
“This is an amazing organization and I truly believe in what we’re building together. I’m going to keep working as hard as I can to bring another championship to Los Angeles and to make Laker Nation proud. This is just the beginning.
Doncic joined the Lakers in February from the Dallas Mavericks in a trade deal that sent shockwaves around the league.
He started 28 games to end the regular season, averaging 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, 7.5 assists and 1.6 steals.
Under his previous contract, Doncic could have become a free agent in 2026, but has now committed to the Lakers long-term.
Doncic was offloaded by the Mavericks in a deal that sent the Lakers’ Anthony Davis in the opposite direction.
Mavericks’ concerns about Doncic’s physical conditioning were reportedly one of the reasons why the club felt willing to part company with the Slovenian, widely regarded as a generational talent.
However, Doncic has looked noticeably slimmer in recent photos and videos, the product of a grueling off-season physical regimen that appears to have yielded impressive results.
“Just visually, I would say my whole body looks better,” Doncic told Men’s Health magazine in a recent interview.
“Every summer, I try my best to work on different things. Obviously, I’m very competitive. This summer was just a little bit different, you know. It kind of motivated me to be even better.”
Brazil clinched their ninth Women’s Copa America title Saturday, edging Colombia 5-4 in a penalty shootout after a dramatic 4-4 draw in the Quito final.
The decider at the Estadio Rodrigo Paz Delgado saw Colombia take the lead three times, only for Brazil to respond on each occasion.
Brazil great Marta forced extra time with a late equalizer and the veteran struck again in the 105th minute to seemingly seal the victory.
But a resilient Colombia found yet another equalizer to send the encounter to penalties, where Brazil’s experience ultimately prevailed.
“I think women’s football has been growing a lot. I think the trend is for it to be more competitive. Everyone here deserved a match like this. Congratulations to Colombia too,” Brazil’s Amanda Gutierres said.
“This means a lot. I think it’s Brazil’s job. It’s that mentality of never giving up. That’s a source of pride for Brazil. I think it means a lot to Brazilians.”
Both teams created early chances, but the breakthrough came in the 25th minute when Colombia’s Linda Caicedo capped off a tidy passing move with a composed low finish from close range.
Brazil got the equalizer in the dying moments of the first half when Angelina stepped up to calmly convert a penalty after VAR confirmed a foul by Jorelyn Carabali on Gio Garbelini.
Colombia regained the lead in the 69th minute via a Brazil own goal, defender Tarciane attempting a routine back pass to goalkeeper Lorena but unaware that she had already charged off her line to collect the ball.
Gutierres equalized for Brazil again 10 minutes from time with her sixth goal in the tournament, a fierce strike off Garbelini’s pass, but striker Mayra Ramirez restored Colombia’s lead by netting after a quick counter-attack eight minutes later.
“Las Cafeteras” were within touching distance of their first continental title until Marta, introduced as a late substitute, delivered a moment of magic with a stunning equalizer six minutes into stoppage time, forcing the game into extra time.
Marta struck again in the 105th minute when she tapped in a fine cross from Angelina, but Colombia turned things around again as Leicy Santos’ brilliant free kick sailed into the top corner in the 115th minute.
The penalty shootout mirrored the drama of the match, with Colombia taking the early advantage after Angelina’s miss.
However, when Manuela Pavi failed to convert and goalkeeper Lorena saved Leicy Santos’ effort as Brazil held the advantage.
Marta had the chance to seal victory, but Katherine Tapia’s save sent the shootout to sudden death, where Carabali’s miss finally handed Brazil their ninth continental title.
Turkish NBA star Alperen Şengün, the Houston Rockets’ standout center, said he is aiming for both an NBA championship and a medal at the 2025 European Championship for his country.
Speaking to Anadolu, Şengün, 23, who earned his first All-Star selection last season, said that in the face of huge challenges in the NBA, he tackled them by upping his game each season.
The best part about taking part in the All-Star Game, he said, was that his family also experienced his excitement and that this made him proud.
“When I left Türkiye for the NBA, many people told me; ‘Don’t go to the NBA.’ My goal was to improve my body, my language, and my basketball skills,” he recounted.
“Staying in the NBA isn’t easy because 60 new players arrive every season. Only those who work hard manage to stay. Knowing this, I’ve focused on improving myself and my game every season.”
This process was successful, as Şengün got through his fourth year in the NBA and now has entered his fifth.
Last year he inked a new five-year contract with the Houston Rockets, in addition to being a member of the Turkish National Basketball Team since 2020.
Despite being a relatively young team, he said, the Rockets haven’t done badly, and this season they added more experienced players.
“We’re ready for the new season,” he added.
Eyes on NBA title
Şengün said they’re hoping to repeat the Rockets’ previous successes, as they won their last NBA championship in 1995.
He stressed his determination ahead of the new season, saying: “Everyone is working hard. We want to make our mark this season and continue in the playoffs. Hopefully, we’ll see a more focused, ‘winning Alperen’ in the new season.”
Şengün also spoke of his thrill to play alongside NBA superstar Kevin Durant, emphasizing the impact Durant can have regardless of his age.
“I’m excited to play with Durant. Everyone is excited to play with him. It doesn’t matter his age – ultimately, he’s Kevin Durant. I have no doubt he will bring a lot to the team,” Şengün said, expressing confidence in what the veteran forward will contribute to the Rockets.
Durant effect
He stressed that Durant will help every single member of the team and heaped praise on him, saying: “He’s very experienced, and we have some very young players. I think he’ll open up the game for us. He’s incredibly effective both offensively and defensively.”
Şengün also lauded Ime Udoka, the Rockets head coach, saying: “Ime is one of the best coaches in the NBA. He came in and changed so many things-he changed the organization and brought so much to the players. Ime was one of the best things that could have happened to us, and he did. He helped me a lot mentally, too. He made everyone mentally stronger.”
Asked what had surprised him the most since joining the NBA, he said he had incredible memories.
“I dunked in a game. It was one of the best dunks I’ve ever made in my life. An offensive foul was called that didn’t happen, but that was irrelevant.”
“I say: ‘I wish it hadn’t been an offensive foul,” he said.
Formula One championship leader Oscar Piastri acknowledged Thursday that the title fight has effectively narrowed to a duel between him and McLaren teammate Lando Norris.
The Australian holds a 16-point lead over Norris heading into this weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix – the final race before the August break.
Four-time champion Max Verstappen sits third, trailing by a daunting 81 points with 11 races left, a gap that looks nearly impossible to close given McLaren’s current form.
“When asked if it’s now a two-horse race, Piastri replied, ‘I suppose so.’”
While both drivers and McLaren officials previously resisted declaring early dominance, mounting evidence now makes that stance increasingly difficult to maintain.
“Every weekend now, or the last few weekends anyway, it has been Lando and me. I expect our competition to still be strong and put up a good fight, especially at certain tracks through the rest of the year,” Piastri said.
“Whether that comes from Max or Ferrari or Mercedes or someone else, we never really know. I’m not too concerned about what happens in that. I’m just trying to win each race and extend the lead.”
Piastri took his first Formula One win at the Hungaroring last year, while Norris was on pole.
McLaren has had six one-two finishes in 13 races, with Piastri winning six times so far and Norris four. Verstappen has two victories.
The team has scored 516 points and is already a mighty 268 points clear of second-place Ferrari.
“Hungary has been historically a good track for us as a team, certainly the two years I’ve been with the team. I expect us to be strong again this weekend,” Piastri said.
The 24-year-old said he had full confidence in himself to come out on top by the end of the year.
“Not every weekend has been perfect, but there aren’t many weekends in my whole life that have been perfect,” he said.
“Just trying to put together a solid, consistent year is ultimately going to be important. The pace in the last few weekends, especially Spa, I’ve been very confident in and very proud of.
“I’m more than capable of continuing that for the rest of the year. I’m confident that I can do it, but it’s not going to be easy.”
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