Brooks Koepka defends his LIV Golf title in Saudi Arabia. Talor Gooch wins the season points race
Brooks Koepka has defeated Talor Gooch in a playoff at LIV Golf-Jeddah
2023-10-16 05:16
Wales defeat Croatia thanks to Harry Wilson double to boost Euro 2024 qualification hopes
Harry Wilson celebrated his 50th cap with a brilliant double as Wales boosted their Euro 2024 automatic qualification hopes with a 2-1 win over Croatia in Cardiff. Wilson rewarded an excellent home performance with two clinical second-half strikes, enough to stave off a late Croatia rally that saw Mario Pasalic convert 15 minutes from time. Wales came into the contest knowing victories in their final three group games were probably necessary to secure a top-two place and avoid the play-offs in March. Rob Page’s side still have to work to do in November – away to Armenia and at home to group leaders Turkey – but upsetting the 2022 World Cup semi-finalists in such fashion offers great encouragement. This win takes Wales into second place above Croatia by virtue of them having done better in their head-to-head ties, the Dragons having drawn their opening game of the campaign 1-1 in Split in March. The result will ease the pressure on manager Rob Page, who awoke to newspaper headlines on Saturday morning linking Roy Keane to his job. Page vowed he would shut out all external noise at his pre-match press conference in which he became visibly emotional, and that chatter will now surely dim after this result. Victory in Latvia last month had boosted Wales, but Aaron Ramsey and Brennan Johnson had picked up injuries and were replaced by David Brooks, a scoring substitute in Riga, and Kieffer Moore. Ben Davies took over the captaincy in Ramsey’s absence as Wilson won his landmark cap, exactly a decade on from becoming Wales’ youngest-ever player at the age of 16 years and 207 days. History was against Wales with no wins in seven games against Croatia and the visitors were smarting from Thursday’s 1-0 loss to Turkey – their first-ever home defeat in European Championship qualification. Croatia made three changes from that shock defeat but their midfield triumvirate of Luka Modric, Mateo Kovacic and Marcelo Brozovic – the heartbeat of this ‘Golden Generation’ – remained in tact. Wales started on the front foot but the pattern of the game soon developed with Croatia dominating possession and the hosts seeking to spring swift counter-attacks. Wilson almost profited from one such raid after Brooks had tricked Josko Gvardiol in the build-up. The ball just run away from Wilson, who could not connect with enough power and Domagoj Vida blocked. A period of Croatia keep-ball ended with Josip Juranovic crossing and Petar Musa heading over, but it was a rare moment of concern for Wales who were gaining in confidence. Ethan Ampadu picked out Brooks after 21 minutes and his feather-like touch and pass freed Wilson through the middle. Wilson was brought down in full flow by Vida, with the close attendance of Gvardiol preventing the yellow card from turning to red. Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic tipped away Wilson’s resulting free-kick and was also equal to Neco Williams’ curling effort after the wing-back had cut inside on his right foot, Gvardiol’s intervention was also needed to deny Connor Roberts after Wilson’s clever back-heel had created space. Croatia boss Zlatko Dalic made three changes at half-time, a sign that he was unimpressed with his side’s first-half performance. But Wales struck within two minutes of the restart as the visitors failed to cope with Danny Ward’s punt forward. The ball came off a Croatia player under pressure from Moore and Brooks volleyed the ball on. Wilson took it in his stride and outpaced Vida to chip the ball over the stranded Livakovic for his seventh Wales goal. The lead was doubled after 60 minutes as Daniel James, having replaced Brooks three minutes earlier, swung over a cross that Wilson glanced beyond Livakovic into the corner of the net. Croatia rose from their slumber with Ward saving from substitute Dion Drena Beljo, the ball turned inches around the post. Modric’s resulting corner glanced off the head of Moore for Pasalic to pounce from close range, but Wales held on for a famous victory against the world’s sixth-ranked team. Read More Scotland qualify for Euro 2024 after Spain result confirms place Steve Borthwick hails ‘written off’ players as England book World Cup semi-final Stephen Kenny puts speculation to one side for Gibraltar clash Jos Buttler tells England to ‘let it hurt’ after World Cup loss to Afghanistan
2023-10-16 05:15
UN chief warns hostages, Gaza aid access should not be 'bargaining chips'
UNITED NATIONS United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appealed on Sunday for Hamas to release hostages without conditions and
2023-10-16 04:59
Aaron Rodgers took unrealistic injury timeline more seriously than you did
New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodger was spotted without crutches and throwing a football just weeks after undergoing surgery for a torn Achilles tendon.
2023-10-16 04:58
Cousins, Hicks lead way as Vikings knock out Fields, beat Bears 19-13
Kirk Cousins threw for a touchdown, Jordan Hicks returned a fumble 42 yards for a score and the Minnesota Vikings knocked Justin Fields out of the game in beating the Chicago Bears 19-13
2023-10-16 04:58
49ers personal foul call gifts Browns a second chance they didn't need
The San Francisco 49ers were called for a questionable personal foul in the secondary on a critical Cleveland Browns fourth quarter drive.
2023-10-16 04:56
Gaza explained: What to know about the enclave
As Israel gears up a ground offensive into Gaza, here's what you need to know about the 140 square-mile enclave -- one of the most densely-populated territories on Earth.
2023-10-16 04:55
Howell throws 3 TD passes, Commanders pick off three Ridder passes in 24-16 win over Falcons
Sam Howell threw three short passes for touchdowns, Washington intercepted Desmond Ridder three times and the Commanders have snapped a three-game losing streak with a 24-16 victory over the Atlanta Falcons
2023-10-16 04:54
Tua Tagovailoa throws 3 TD passes to rally the Dolphins past the Panthers 42-21
Tua Tagovailoa threw three touchdown passes to three different receivers and sparked the Miami Dolphins to a 42-21 comeback victory over the winless Carolina Panthers
2023-10-16 04:53
Ryan Tannehill injured and Titans offense shut down by Ravens in loss in London
The Tennessee Titans are flying home from London with a two-game losing streak and questions at quarterback
2023-10-16 04:52
Financial warning alarms for Pence and other long-shot candidates as 2024 approaches
Former Vice President Mike Pence has run up debt in his bid for the White House, according to figures released by his campaign Sunday -- underscoring the financial hurdle he faces just months before the first contests for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination.
2023-10-16 04:52
Ecuador votes with crime and economy at the top of the ballot
Crime remains at the forefront of Ecuador's presidential election as voters choose between former lawmakers Luisa González or Daniel Noboa on Sunday.
2023-10-16 04:51
