A BALL BOY was made the star of the show after his genius assist helped Racing beat Corinthians 2-1 to reach their first continental final in 32 years.

The teenager’s quick-thinking set up the decisive goal that put Argentina‘s Racing Club into their first-ever Copa Sudamericana final – South America’s equivalent of the Europa League.

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His quick throw from a dead-ball waiting on a cone caught Brazil’s Corinthians napping on Thursday.

The youngster swiftly tossed the ball to Racing’s Maximiliano Salas, whose catapulted throw was headed on by striker Adrian Martinez.

Double goalscorer Juan Fernando Quintero picked up the pass and sat the goalkeeper down with a sleek finish in the 39th minute, to send the club into their first cup final for 32 years.

The lad, who had quickly turned away to jump over the advertising boards after he provided the ball, returned to the barrier after the goal.

Where he was greeted by a swarm of Racing players who had quickly turned to celebrate by cradling him over the pitch-side boards.

The 15-year-old, who plays for Racing’s academy side, is named Martin Santoro, according to reports in Argentina.

Santoro told Argentinan outlet Diario Ole: “The ball went off the pitch and I wasn’t sure whether to jump up or not.

“I got up and Salas asked me for it. I gave it to him quickly and he threw it in. The goal was exciting because it came from the ball that I quickly handed to him.”

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Corinthians opened the scoring in Buenos Aires with a back heel assist by former Man Utd star Memphis Depay to Yuri Alberto.

But Racing turned their fortunes around by converting a penalty in the 36th minute and three minutes later after the ball boys heroics.

The first leg in Sao Paulo last week ended 2-2, meaning the Argentines won 4-3 on aggregate.

And it sparked wild scenes on the final whistle and joyous fans let of flares and fireworks.

The stunning incident left fans claiming that Racing now have their own version of the Tottenham ball boy.

Young Spurs fan Callum Hynes was lauded for “assisting” Harry Kane‘s equaliser after quickly throwing the ball to Serge Aurier against Olympiacos in the Champions League in 2019.

The English youngster swiftly gave the ball to Serge Aurier, whose throw set up Lucas Moura’s cross for Kane to level after Spurs were 2-0 down.

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Then Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho invited Hynes to enjoy a pre-match meal with his players a few days later.

So let’s see if the young Argentinean ball boy will be rewarded with the same special treatment.

Racing face another Brazilian team in Cruzeiro, who reached the final after beating Argentina‘s Lanus 1-0 on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Depay’s side are currently fighting against relegation in the Brazilian championship, with seven games remaining.

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Derrick Lewis is no longer competing at UFC Edmonton.

The heavyweight was forced out of his fight scheduled against Jhonata Diniz with the bout now scrapped from the card set to take place on Saturday night at Rogers Place.

Lewis was forced out of the contest due to a non-weight cut related medical issue, per UFC officials.

While Lewis did appear at the official weigh-ins on Friday morning he wasn’t at the ceremonial weigh-ins later on Friday, which raised suspicions about his readiness for the fight. A few hours later, UFC officials confirmed that Lewis was being pulled from the event and his fight with Diniz was cancelled.

It’s an unfortunate turn of events for Lewis, who was looking to build on a win over Rodrigo Nascimento back in May as he extended his record for most knockouts in UFC history with 15 overall.

Meanwhile, Diniz misses out on the chance to face an established veteran and former title challenger in Lewis after starting out his UFC career with two straight wins while amassing a perfect 8-0 record overall.

The UFC Edmonton card now moves forward with 13 total bouts, although the UFC hasn’t announced which preliminary card bout is expected to take the main card slot vacated by Lewis vs. Diniz.

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LIVERPOOL boss Arne Slot’s new home is nearer his two Manchester arch rivals.

The Dutchman, 46, has bought a five-bedroom pile in Hale Barns.

He and wife Mirjam will be ten miles from Manchester United’s Old Trafford and 11 from Man City’s Etihad Stadium.

And it will take him three times longer to reach the Reds’ Anfield HQ.

Neighbours will include United duo Matthijs De Ligt and Christian Eriksen.

A source said: “There’s a saying, keep your friends close and enemies closer.

“Well, Arne couldn’t be any closer if he tried. It will probably cause a few raised eyebrows but he’s not the first Liverpool man to live in Manchester.

“Quite a few players live over there, despite the history between the clubs. It’s a beautiful area.”

Slot’s new pad, once home to United’s Victor Lindelof and City’s Gabriel Jesus, has previously been voted Best Luxury Home at the Northern Design Awards.

Slot turned down the offer of moving into predecessor Jurgen Klopp’s rented seven-bed home in Formby.

The £4million mansion north of Liverpool, originally owned by Liverpool great Steven Gerrard, is now up for sale.

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The former Ajax manager took charge in the summer of 2022, ending the club’s six-year wait for silverware by winning the Carabao Cup and achieving a third-placed finish in the Premier League in his first season.

Ten Hag also led United to an FA Cup final victory over neighbours Manchester City in May, but the club finished a disappointing eighth in the league. He was sacked following a poor start to the 2024-25 campaign, leaving United 14th after nine games.

“We won two trophies – achievements that I will cherish for the rest of my life,” added Ten Hag.

“Of course my dream was to bring more trophies to the cabinet. Unfortunately, that dream has come to an end.

“I wish all Manchester United fans nothing but success, trophies and glory.

“Your support, and the warmth I received from everyone at the club, helped me feel at home. Thank you for this chapter in my life.”

United confirmed on Friday that 39-year-old Portuguese coach Amorim will move to Old Trafford from Lisbon club Sporting on 11 November, on a contract until June 2027.

Former United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy, who took charge on an interim basis after Ten Hag was sacked on Monday, will stay on for the club’s next three fixtures.

Oliver Bearman will replace Kevin Magnussen for the entire Sao Paulo Grand Prix weekend after the Dane had to pull out through illness.

The 19-year-old was initially drafted in only for Friday’s running and the sprint race early on Saturday.

But on Friday evening the team said Bearman would continue in Magnussen’s car for the remainder of the weekend.

Bearman qualified 10th for the sprint, which is at 14:00 UK time on Saturday, two places ahead of regular driver Nico Hulkenberg.

The Briton will be full-time for Haas next season, when Frenchman Esteban Ocon joins the team from Alpine.

Brazil is Bearman’s second competitive appearance for Haas in five grands prix – he replaced Magnussen at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix after he was banned for accruing too many penalty points on his licence.