Connect with us
DAPA Banner

Sports

PSG produce measured sequel to set up intriguing Arsenal clash in Champions League final

Published

on

Paris Saint-Germain will play Arsenal in the Champions League final after they drew 1-1 with Bayern Munich in the Allianz Arena to seal a 6-5 aggregate semi-final victory.

After the astonishing first leg in Paris a week ago that saw the European champions triumph by the odd goal in nine, this was a more measured but no less fascinating affair, Ousmane Dembele’s goal in the third minute giving the visitors a two-goal advantage in the tie.

At that stage it looked like another explosive night of attacking fluidity was in store, but Bayern could not rediscover the threat that saw them reel PSG in from 5-2 to 5-4 in the Parc des Princes.

Harry Kane scored in the fourth minute of stoppage time to set up a nervous finale, but Bayern had left themselves insufficient time to seriously unsettle the visitors from Paris.

Luis Enrique’s side had been the team that had looked likeliest to add to their tally and put the semi-final beyond all doubt, Manuel Neuer performing heroics to just about keep Bayern’s hopes alive until the end.

Advertisement

In the end, the holders needed nothing further in order to book their place alongside Mikel Arteta’s side in Budapest on 30 May.

PSG had enough to see off Bayern in Munich
PSG had enough to see off Bayern in Munich (Getty)

They had opened up a two-goal lead in the tie inside three minutes of the return. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia raced into space down the left and looked up to see Dembele arriving in the box. The Georgian playmaker pulled the ball back for Dembele to race onto and hammer a finish first-time into the roof of the net.

Bayern were furious not to have been awarded a penalty midway through the half. Goalkeeper Matvei Safonov made an uncertain punch and the ball landed with Vitinha, who in attempting to clear slammed the ball against the arm of teammate Joao Neves. As it was another PSG player that had made the clearance, it was not deemed to be handball despite Neves’s arm being well away from his body.

Neves then drew a wonderful save from Manuel Neuer, who threw himself low across goal to tip away the midfielder’s header. Jonathan Tah headed wide from a free-kick in the final minute of the half, a rare Bayern chance in the first period.

Harry Kane and Bayern were left bereft by defeat
Harry Kane and Bayern were left bereft by defeat (Getty)
Ousmane Dembele scored PSG’s only goal of the match early on
Ousmane Dembele scored PSG’s only goal of the match early on (AP)

At the start of the second half, Neuer saved twice in quick succession from Desire Doue and Kvaratskhelia. Doue tried again soon after with a low drive that brought the best stop yet from the Bayern goalkeeper.

The hosts came close again through Luis Diaz who was denied by Safonov but PSG were carrying the greater threat. Doue blasted an effort inches wide of the post with Neuer beaten as the European champions looked to seal it.

Advertisement

Kvaratskhelia brushed past Bayern’s defence and bore down on goal but badly missed his kick, with the goal and tie at his mercy. Kane finally found space inside the box to lash a finish into the roof of the net deep in stoppage time, but a famous fightback was not to be.

Source link

Continue Reading
Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

Sports

Heavyweight who sparred Wardley and Dubois predicts one man will survive a knockdown to win by KO

Published

on

On Saturday, Fabio Wardley and Daniel Dubois go toe-to-toe for the WBO heavyweight title, and Johnny Fisher – who has sparred both – has laid out his prediction for the bout, anticipating a dramatic finish.

Wardley has never been dropped and has won via stoppage in all but one of his 20 career triumphs, with that solitary decision victory coming in a four-round affair on his professional debut – although that knockout streak is interrupted by a 2024 draw against Frazer Clarke.

Similarly, Dubois has only won once on the judges’ scorecards, coming against the durable Kevin Johnson, whom he outpointed after 10 rounds in the ninth contest of his professional career back in 2018.

Advertisement

Speaking to The Sun Sport, fan-favourite British title hopeful Fisher, who has shared the ring with both men in sparring, predicted that Wardley will add another impressive stoppage to his résumé, but that he will do so after hitting the deck for the first time in his career.

“Wardley, round 10 stoppage. I reckon that he comes off the canvas in round three and then he comes back in round 10 and stops Daniel. It is going to be a close-fought match. I think that the fight gets stopped by the referee.”

Wardley vs. Dubois takes place at the Co-op Live Arena this weekend, with that main event being the sixth occasion in boxing history where a heavyweight world title has been on the line in Manchester, nine years since Joseph Parker decisioned Hughie Fury in the most recent instance.

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Sports

Nick Khan New WWE Contract Amid TKO Releases: Salary, Duration, Bonuses, More

Published

on

WWE President Nick Khan’s contract has been revised amid mass releases by TKO, the Stamford-based promotion’s parent company. Khan’s new salary structure and bonuses have been revealed.

It is a heartbreaking time for the WWE Universe as several talents have been released from the company. The list includes major names like Kairi Sane, The Wyatt Sicks, The Motor City Machine Guns, Zelina Vega, and Aleister Black. Even legendary names like The New Day’s Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods have parted ways with the Stamford-based promotion, reportedly because TKO asked them to take a pay cut.

Amid all of this, WWE President Nick Khan has received a new contract. According to TKO’s SEC filings, Khan’s new contract will keep him in the company til 2030. It was also mentioned that he would operate out of Los Angeles, where he currently stays. The contract also highlighted that Nick will receive $2 million per annum til the end of 2026, and his base salary will be bumped to $3 million per annum in 2027.

Advertisement

It was also mentioned that either side can terminate the contract at any time, but Nick Khan is required to give at least 60 days’ written notice if he wishes to leave the company.

Furthermore, the WWE President will be eligible for annual bonuses based on certain performance metrics: 150% of his base annual salary in 2026, increasing to 200% of his base annual salary from 2027 through 2030.

“During the Term, Khan shall also be eligible to receive an annual bonus award (‘Annual Bonus’), subject to the attainment of certain performance metrics, which may include the attainment of EBITDA-based targets and/or such other metrics as determined by the Governing Body, in its sole discretion. Effective as of the Effective Date, the target amount of Khan’s Annual Bonus shall be 150% of the Base Salary (i.e., target $3,000,000) for calendar year 2026 and shall be 200% of the Base Salary (i.e., target $6,000,000) for each calendar year remaining in the Term (i.e., 2027, 2028, 2029 and 2030) (as applicable, the ‘Target Annual Bonus’).” [H/T PWInsider]


Kevin Nash talked about Nick Khan’s WWE pay amid stars’ releases

During a recent edition of his Kliq This podcast, Kevin Nash was asked about the mass WWE releases.

The legend said he was not surprised by it, but also noted how much money the company’s President Nick Khan was making while TKO is asking its wrestlers to take pay cuts.

Advertisement

“Not after two weeks prior, when I see what the CEOs — what Nick’s getting paid. I mean, Nick (Khan) took half of the f*cking WrestleMania net… But I’m busting his ba*ls because we sat here and went over the numbers, and the year before was $1.4 billion. The next year, you’re $1.7 billion. So that’s $300 million. So, I’m busting Nick’s ba*ls, but we sat here and went over the numbers…” said Kevin Nash.

It remains to be seen what TKO has planned for World Wrestling Entertainment’s future.