Sport (Page 111)

IRELAND host South Africa in the autumn international match-up this weekend. The reigning champions travel to Dublin in the first of three autumn internationals for Ireland. 1 Ireland in training ahead of the clash with South AfricaCredit: Sportsfile The last time the two sides played, Ireland demolished South Africa 38-3 in 2017. And now the visitors will be looking for revenge as they face Ireland this weekend. When is Ireland vs South Africa? South Africa travel to Ireland on Saturday, 5 November. The match is scheduled to get underway from 5:30pm UK time. The Aviva Stadium will play host to the contest and is able to host up to 74,500 spectators. What TV channel is it on and can I live streamContinue Reading

LIONEL MESSI is a record seven-time Ballon d’Or king, a four-time Champions League winner and is now hoping to fire Paris Saint-Germain to an elusive Champions League. The 35-year-old Argentine, who also secured his nation the Copa America last year, is quite rightly heralded by many as the greatest player of all time. 1 Lionel Messi is now a seven-time Ballon d’Or winnerCredit: EPA Having graced Barcelona’s Camp Nou for more than 15 years and now the Parc des Princes, many great players have purred over getting to take to the field alongside the icon. PSG strike partner and ex-Barca team-mate Neymar referred to it as playing with his ‘idol’, while Xavi gushed: “It is clear that Messi is onContinue Reading

SUNDERLAND U23s keeper Alex Bass incredibly scored a stoppage time equaliser to earn his side a point against bitter rivals Newcastle. Joe White’s first half strike looked set to hand the Magpies all three points in the Premier League 2 Division 2 match at St James’ Park. 5 Bass headed against the post from the last-gasp cornerCredit: Getty 5 The keeper then bundled in the rebound, later admitting he used his handCredit: Getty 5 Newcastle were furious but Bass’ stoppage time goal was givenCredit: Getty 5 The Sunderland players celebrated wildly as they earned themselves a pointCredit: Getty But with 11 minutes remaining the hosts saw Jay Turner-Cook sent off to hand Sunderland a lifeline. Then in the 94th minute,Continue Reading

ENGLAND’S T20 World Cup dream is still alive after a nail-biting win over New Zealand. Jos Buttler plundered 73 off 47 but a late collapse saw his side finish on 179-6 from their 20 overs. 8 Ben Stokes played his part in the crucial winCredit: AP 8 Sam Curran took two wickets on the way to victoryCredit: Getty Sam Curran and Chris Woakes removed New Zealand openers Finn Allen and Devon Conway early but Kane Williamson and Glenn Phillips led the fightback for the Black Caps – helped by some poor fielding. But New Zealand were always behind their nine-per-over run rate required. And some clutch death bowling, especially by Curran, limited the opposition to 159-6 and ensured a much-neededContinue Reading

PSG have a number of players on their radar who could replace Lionel Messi if he does depart for America. Reports have emerged that the 35-year-old could be set for a shock move to David Beckham’s Inter Miami after the World Cup. 5 Any potential departure of Lionel Messi will leave PSG needing to get in a replacementCredit: Rex 5 Now in his sixth season at Anfield, Mo Salah continues to deliver big moments regularlyCredit: Reuters 5 Marcus Rashford has managed to rediscover his form this seasonCredit: Getty The Argentine is in his final year with Paris Saint-Germain but has been linked with a sensation return to Barcelona. If he did depart, it would leave PSG needing to replace oneContinue Reading

MAX VERSTAPPEN is reportedly boycotting interviews with Sky Sports at the Mexico Grand Prix. The Red Bull ace refused to appear on Sky cameras after reporter Ted Kravitz implied he “robbed” Lewis Hamilton of the F1 title last year. 2 Max Verstappen will reportedly snub Sky Sports interviews this weekendCredit: Getty 2 Sky reported Ted Kravitz suggested Verstappen “robbed” Lewis Hamilton of last year’s titleCredit: sky sports None of the UK-based Sky Sports, or its German and Italian affiliates will be able to interview Verstappen, according to RacingNews365.com. Dutch driver Verstappen, 25, won a maiden world title in controversial circumstances last year after overtaking Brit hero Hamilton on the final lap of the last race of the 2021 season. HeContinue Reading

CRISTIANO RONALDO and Harry Maguire are fighting for places in Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United team for the visit of West Ham. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner, 37, is heading into Sunday’s fixture off the back of a goal in the Europa League against Sheriff. Ronaldo and Maguire could star for Man Utd 2 Ronaldo scored in his last appearanceCredit: Getty 2 Maguire could come back into the team with Varane injuredCredit: Getty He’s trying to redeem himself after being dropped from Man Utd’s squad for the visit to Chelsea last weekend for refusing to come on as a late substitute against Tottenham. Club captain Maguire is hoping to win a starting spot back with World Cup-winning defender Raphael VaraneContinue Reading

BARCELONA chiefs will make a desperate attempt to sign Lionel Messi from Paris Saint-Germain in January, according to reports. Messi, 35, has been linked with a sensational return to the Nou Camp for several months. 1 Messi could return to BarcelonaCredit: Getty Reports initially suggested that he would re-sign for the La Liga giants on a free transfer next summer. But, following Barcelona’s disastrous 3-0 defeat to Bayern Munich on Wednesday – which subsequently saw the club crash out of the Champions League – Xavi is now eager to reunite with Messi in January. According to Spanish outlet Sport, Barcelona chiefs are hoping to re-sign Messi as soon as possible. However, it could prove to be a challenge to separateContinue Reading

LESTER PIGGOTT’S former cellmate turned up at the legendary jockey’s memorial service – along with the likes of Frankie Dettori. Big names from the world of racing and sport including Seb Coe paid their respects to the sporting giant at St Luke’s Church in Chelsea on Thursday. 5 Dettori, who uploaded this photo of the service sheet, was among the star-studded list of mourners paying tribute to late jockey Piggott 5 The Italian said Piggott was his idol and the pair enjoyed an incredible friendshipCredit: Rex Features Piggott, who won the Derby nine times but was famously jailed in 1987 over tax fraud, died last May aged 86. One of his former cellmates who apparently ‘looked after’ the jockey duringContinue Reading

JACK GREALISH hit out at Graeme Souness and other pundits after the Scot claimed he cannot handle criticism. The row between the pair began after Souness claimed Grealish was “a good, not a great player”. 2 Jack Grealish defended himself from Graeme Souness’ criticismCredit: Getty 2 Souness accused Grealish of not being able to take criticismCredit: AFP Grealish responded by claiming the Sky Sports pundit has an agenda and is always criticising him. In return Souness advised the Manchester City star not to be so “precious”, adding that it is not possible to “be critical of the modern player”. Grealish feels that is an unfair label and believes players should be able to respond to criticism without judgement. In anContinue Reading