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PSG’s team of talents retain Champions League title

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As Paris Saint-Germain tightened the screws on Arsenal over two absorbing hours, the drums in the crowd behind the goal matched their relentless intensity. It was enough to push PSG past Arsenal 4-3 on penalties after the Champions League final in Budapest ended 1-1 after extra time on Saturday. 

Players, crowd and coach — PSG are a club united.

“Today, we can say we are the best in Europe. We take pleasure in playing with this group. We’re all humble, and that makes you want to give more. But we just want to celebrate with the people of Paris,” said Vitinha, PSG’s Portuguese midfielder who was named man of the match.

Arsenal’s own brand of collective will dragged the Qatari-owned Parisians to penalties, but the English side  will carry over their quest for a first Champions League into next season. PSG, however, have become just the second club, after Real Madrid, to retain the Champions League since it was rebranded in 1992.

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For all that Luis Enrique’s side possesses, sublime attacking talent, smart, physical defenders and nimble, creative midfielders, it is perhaps the Spanish coach’s greatest feat that this is a team in the truest sense.

“If the stars are at the service of the team, there is preparation and we can play football. That is our essence,” is how Enrique summed it up earlier in the campaign. And while world player of the year, Ousmane Dembele, scored the 65th minute equalizer from the penalty spot after Kai Havertz’ opener, he and the other stars play for PSG and not themselves.

“We follow him; we trust him,” Moroccan fullback Achraf Hakimi said of Enrique. “From day one, he has shown us that the team is more important than any individual player. We’re not just a team—we’re a family.”

Enrique reaps rewards of emphasizing the collective

That wasn’t always the case at the French champions, who are owned by the Qatari state. Their famous former forward line of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe dazzled in moments but often skipped their defensive duties.

Unlike PSG’s 5-0 mauling of Inter in last season’s final, Saturday’s matchin Budapest was a tense contest of contrasting styles. PSG dominated the ball. They completed 837 passes to Arsenal’s 199.

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“They are really difficult to play against,” Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta said. “That’s why they are champions two times in a row. And the individual quality they have, the manner of their coach. They are a top, top team.”

But Arsenal found delight in denying them the room to make that possession count and sought opportunities on the break or from set pieces.

Havertz finding form but frustrated

It was from the former that they went ahead in the sixth minute. The final’s only German player, Havertz, raced on to a block from teammate Leandro Trossard. He had half a field to run in and a goalkeeper to beat. But the angle was tight. The ball stuck briefly under his feet. He’s not the quickest. But Havertz chose not to take the safe option and hold on for support. Instead, he lashed a fierce drive past a static Matvei Safonov.

An aerial shot of Arsenal players celebrating a goal in the Champions League final
Kai Havertz gave Arsenal an early lead but they could not hold onImage: Ina Fassbender/AFP

Once he escaped, doubled over, from the mob of players who clambered on him, he cupped a hand to the ear to hear those who traveled from London at the other end of Budapest’s Puskas Arena. In truth, he needed no help, such was the din.

Havertz has needed that support of late though. At the start of 2026, the 26-year-old had yet to play a game this season, after the latest in a series of serious injuries that have hampered his progress. He’s also endured criticism for not always being clinical, but with his one chance on Saturday, he was. Though Arsenal could not hold on to that early lead, the forward will head off on World Cup duty with his personal confidence high once again.

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“Everyone told me from January how there is so much to play. That is where my momentum also shifted and I am just happy that I am here again now,” he told the Guardian ahead of Saturday’s match. “I try to help the team every day. I tried that also when I was injured, just to help them off the pitch. That is always important.”

Gabriel the fall guy as Arsenal quest goes on

That team ethic is of as much importance to Arteta as it is to his compatriot, Enrique. It is one of the reasons Havertz was picked to start over big-money signing Viktor Gyokeres. Havertz repaid him with a performance filled with the link-up play, physical presence and pressing that Arteta, and Arsenal fans, demand.

It wasn’t enough though and his evening, like so many others in red, ended in tears. Arsenal’s exertions off the ball were beginning to show towards the end of normal time. Both Bradley Barcola and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia fired wide from a similar position to where Havertz found the net.

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But the Londoners, while posing little threat, stubbornly held on to force extra time. And then penalties. But they’d go no further, after defender Gabriel sent the decisive kick high into those PSG fans.

Gabriel had been crucial to the resilience that thwarted PSG in open play. His pained collapse onto the turf may be a defining image of the 2026 final. But for Enrique, this game, and indeed any game, is won by a team of individuals. Once again, he has the best one in Europe.

Edited by: Sean Sinico

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Cronulla Sharks vs Manly Sea Eagles Tips, Odds, Teams & Predictions – NRL Round 13 2026

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Ocean Protect Stadium will play host to Friday’s
Round 13 NRL game between Cronulla Sharks and
Manly Sea Eagles. The game kicks off at 8:00 pm with Cronulla Sharks heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Cronulla Sharks vs.
Manly Sea Eagles
game and give you our free tips and bets.

When: Friday May 29, 2026 at 8:00 pm

Where: Ocean Protect Stadium

Bet 💰: Bet On This Match HERE

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Cronulla Sharks vs Manly Sea Eagles Odds

Cronulla Sharks vs Manly Sea Eagles Preview

Manly head to Shark Park riding a wave of momentum and defensive confidence, with Kieran Foran helping steer a dramatic turnaround in recent weeks. The Sea Eagles are conceding barely two tries per game during their current stretch, a remarkable return in the modern NRL era, and their left-edge attack shapes as a major weapon against Cronulla’s vulnerable right side. The Sharks remain capable of explosive attacking football when Nicho Hynes and Braydon Trindall combine fluently, but consistency has been harder to find. Cronulla’s home record keeps this matchup intriguing, although Manly’s ability to control field position and limit errors gives the visitors a slight edge in what shapes as one of the tighter contests of the round.

First Try Scorer

First Try Scorer:

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Lehi Hopoate at $8.75.

Cronulla Sharks vs Manly Sea Eagles Teams

Sharks team: 1. William Kennedy 2. Samuel Stonestreet 3. Jesse Ramien 4. KL Iro 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Niwhai Puru 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Toby Rudolf 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Jesse Colquhoun 15. Siosifa Talakai 16. Billy Burns 17. Thomas Hazelton 18. Hohepa Puru 19. Oregon Kaufusi 20. Braden Hamlin-Uele 21. Jayden Berrell 22. Riley Jones 23. Mawene Hiroti

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Sea Eagles team: 1. Clayton Faulalo 2. Jason Saab 3. Josh Feledy 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Lehi Hopoate 6. Luke Brooks 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Jake Simpkin 10. Kobe Hetherington 11. Jackson Shereb 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Brandon Wakeham 15. Nathan Brown 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Simione Laiafi 18. Blake Wilson 19. Joey Walsh 20. Hugo Hart 21. Haumole Olakau’atu 22. Tolutau Koula

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URC: Cardiff disappointed but proud as season ends with Stormers defeat

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Cardiff lost head coach Matt Sherratt to Steve Tandy’s backroom staff just a few days before the season started, with forwards boss Corniel van Zyl making the step up to replace him.

“We’re proud of the boys from where we started the season into how we finished,” said van Zyl.

“To end up sixth, with 16 quality teams, I say would make us proud. Unfortunately we couldn’t push on to the next step and that’s the disappointing part.”

Van Zyl guided Cardiff to 11 league victories, with eight of those coming at their Arms Park home.

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With only one URC win achieved outside of Wales this season, securing an unlikely play-off victory in South Africa against a former tournament winner was always going to be a tough ask.

The squad landing just a few days before the fixture after a 6,000-mile flight to Cape Town added to their task.

Cardiff flanker Dan Thomas has been one of the shining lights this season and again impressed against Stormers.

The open-side did not want to accept defeat but acknowledged the steps made in the 2025-26 campaign.

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“Everyone was happy with how the season went, we made the play-offs which was important for the club, but no-one remembers who loses in quarter-finals,” Thomas told S4C.

“Making the play-offs is important for the club.

“It’s an odd one, we’re happy with how the season has gone, but you want silverware. It is back to the drawing board now and we need to start again.”

Cardiff have signed Australian veteran prop Scott Sio next season, which they will hope shores up a scrum taken apart by Stormers.

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“It is obvious, our set-piece needs to improve,” said Thomas.

“The Stormers were dominant and we didn’t cope. We knew it was coming and still couldn’t stop it.

“We know the hard work will start in pre-season.”

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Adam Azim vs Steve Claggett live scorecard and fight result

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Adam Azim headlines at Wembley Arena this evening as one of British boxing’s brightest young talents looks to move a step closer to world title contention against battle-hardened Canadian Steve Claggett.

The unbeaten 24-year-old has long been tipped for the top, with his speed, timing and finishing ability helping him build a perfect professional record. Last time out, Azim produced arguably the best performance of his career, stopping former world title challenger Sergey Lipinets to underline his credentials at 140lbs.

Canada’s Claggett, meanwhile, arrives as a proven gatekeeper at world level and former title challenger. The 36-year-old shared the ring with Teofimo Lopez last year and could provide a test for Azim’s gas tank.

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Victory for Azim would strengthen calls for a shot at a world title in the next 18 months, with the Slough fighter currently in the top 10 with the WBC, WBO and IBF. Defeat, however, would represent a major setback against an opponent brought in to test, rather than derail, his rise.

Stay with Boxing News for a live scorecard, round-by-round updates and the final result from Wembley Arena.

Adam Azim vs Steve Claggett live scorecard

This is a Boxing News live scorecard and not the official score from the judges.

  1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Total
Azim 10 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 20
Claggett 9 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 17

Adam Azim vs Steve Claggett fight result

Azim TKO 3. Hugely impressive from Azim, who couldn’t miss with the uppercut. He burst Claggett’s nose in the first, dropped him in the second and forced referee Victor Loughlin to step in and stop it in the third. The Canadian’s come-forward pressure just could not work against such a precise and punishing puncher in Azim, who moves on to world level.

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US world champion insists Naoya Inoue is ‘not a hard fight’: “I know how to beat him”

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In 33 fights, nobody has been able to solve the puzzle that Naoya Inoue presents. Does an unbeaten retirement await one of boxing’s modern greats?

The Japanese phenomenon has 27 knockouts and recently beat countryman Junto Nakatani in Tokyo to solidify his position at the top of the pound-for-pound list.

Inoue has laid out the plan for the rest of his campaign in no uncertain terms – stick around at super-bantamweight for one more fight, likely Jesse Rodriguez, before moving up to featherweight in pursuit of belts in a fifth division.

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If that is how things play out, there are currently four champions waiting for him: the WBO’s Rafael Espinoza, the WBA’s Brandon Figueroa, the IBF’s Angelo Leo and the WBC’s Bruce Carrington.

Though not the only titlist at 126lbs to call Inoue out, Carrington has been perhaps the most vocal, and has now doubled down on his claim that defeating ‘The Monster’ would not be too tough a night at the office.

Asked by Luis Para if he believes it is a hard matchup, ‘Shu Shu’ was clear in his answer.

“No. I think he actually plays [into] my style. I think he’s a good boxer, very twitchy and things like that, but there are certain things that I know I could use to make him fight my fight.”

Carrington then questioned whether or not Inoue’s knockout power would carry up in weight.

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“To be honest, I think it will be tough. Any of the champions will give him a tough fight … I don’t think Inoue’s punching power would show as much with the champions in the featherweight division.”

Carrington won the WBC belt by stopping Carlost Castro at Madison Square Garden back in January. He puts it on the line in a first defence against Rene Palacios in July.

Meanwhile, Inoue will have a close eye on ‘Bam’ Rodriguez’s upcoming move to bantamweight against Antonio Vargas in Phoenix on June 13, with victory for the former likely locking in the Japanese champion’s final fight at 122lbs.

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Becky told her to STFU”, “They using u as clickbait

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Las Vegas Aces guard Chennedy Carter was much talked about recently after a recent social media post that shaded her role with the team and 2026 No. 1 pick Azzi Fudd.

Less than a day following the Aces’ 95-87 loss to the Dallas Wings on Thursday, Carter criticized Fudd, who arguably had her best game in the WNBA. The Wings rookie scored 22 points on 9-of-15 shooting in her first career start. The veteran guard added that she wanted her “leash” off, which seemed to be a shade in her playing time.

“Not to mention, I made her ankle touch the ground,” Carter wrote on Threads. “But y’all can hollar at me when my leash is off, too. It’s completely unfair, even though statistically, it’s not even close.”

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On Saturday, Carter said that she will have a break from social media following the criticism she received.

“30 day ban starting now, bc you drag situations. You’ll learn this app is a free app and fans dont own it!” Carter said.

Several people reacted to Carter’s latest Threads post, with one account saying that she might have been issued a warning by Aces coach Becky Hammon.

“Becky told her to STFU or is she is playing in Mexico soon,” the post said.

“They using u as clickbait, trying to get likes! Can’t wait until u show them! Ur come up, is close! Deals!” another fan wrote.

“This wasn’t even a situation until you said something. You’re a vet but are acting like a rookie maturity wise. You should acknowledge where Azzi had you in the game and use that to help you improve. Talent should recognize talent no matter what experience, stats, age, team, etc. You can stand up for yourself without shading other people,” a fan posted.

Amid the numerous criticisms of Carter, some fans expressed their support for the 5-foot-9 guard.

“Is the ban on fans or on yourself?” one fan replied.

“Girl why Azzi though? Most of her fans were rooting for you, too. You two are both great players who both have had their careers interrupted, but who we still believed in completely. And Lord knows that girl don’t bother nobody. Why Azzi mannn?” another fan said.

“Lil sis. Protect your peace. You’re having a career year and definitely on your way to being 6POY. Leave this social media alone and go get that ring, fam,” a fan commented.

Last month, Las Vegas signed Carter to a training camp contract. According to Spotrac, the deal was worth $277,500 for one year.

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Carter has played in all of the Aces’ seven games this season. She is averaging a career-high 19.1 points per game on 64.6% shooting, including 56.3% from 3-point range, 21.9 minutes off the bench. She is the team’s second-leading scorer behind four-time WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson and the league’s leader in bench points.


WNBA analyst addresses Chennedy Carter’s recent social media posts

WNBA analyst Grant Young of Sports Illustrated chimed in on what he described as a social media outburst by Chennedy Carter. Young doubled down on several of the fan comments that they felt like Carter had turned the corner in her first season with Las Vegas.

“The problem is that these questions had followed Chennedy throughout her career,” Young said. “And it makes it seem like she could not never get out of her own way. That’s why I find this disappointing, especially because for a while, it seems like Chennedy was finally making it that her basketball was the only thing people were talking about.”

Young added that throwing shots at Azzi Fudd was unnecessary, as the rookie had nothing to do with Carter’s role with the Aces. He also said that being frustrated with coaches is a normal occurrence in sports, but there was no need to air it publicly.

Las Vegas has brought back its championship core from last season, and Carter has filled the role of backup guard Dana Evans, who is recovering from a leg injury.

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