Football

Real Madrid's dramatic comeback victory over Bayern Munich in the Champions League semi-final was a testament to their unwavering spirit and the brilliance of their veteran striker, Joselu.After trailing for much of the match, Real Madrid found themselves on the brink of elimination with just minutes remaining. However, Joselu's twin strikes in the dying moments turned the tide and sent the Santiago Bernabeu into raptures.Joselu's journey to this moment has been a testament to his perseverance and determination. After making his debut for Real Madrid in 2009, he embarked on a nomadic career that took him to several clubs across Europe. Despite his travels, Joselu never lost sight of his dream of making a mark on the biggest stage.On Wednesday night, that dream became a reality. Joselu's first goal came from a fortunate bounce off Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, but his second was a clinical finish that showcased his predatory instincts.Real Madrid's victory was also a reminder of their uncanny ability to find a way to win in the Champions League. Despite being outplayed for much of the match, they managed to pull off another miraculous comeback.Joselu's performance was a perfect embodiment of Real Madrid's fighting spirit. The 34-year-old striker never gave up, and his goals ultimately proved to be the difference.

Lalengmawia Ralte, a key midfielder for the Indian national football team, faces a potential dilemma as his university examination conflicts with India's crucial World Cup qualifier against Kuwait on June 6. The match holds immense significance as India aims to qualify for the third round of a World Cup qualifying cycle for the first time.Ralte, who has earned 18 senior team caps, has reportedly requested to be excused from the preparatory camp due to his exam. However, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) has asked him to discuss the matter with head coach Igor Stimac.In addition to Ralte's potential absence, India may also miss Akash Mishra, Rahul KP, and Mohammed Yasir due to injuries. Skipper Sunil Chhetri could also join the camp later than May 10 due to a family illness.Ralte's absence would be a significant blow to India's midfield. In the recently concluded Indian Super League (ISL) season, he played a pivotal role for Mumbai City FC, boasting an 85% passing accuracy and creating 17 chances. He was named player of the match in the final against Mohun Bagan Super Giant.Mumbai City coach Petr Krakty praised Ralte's performance, saying, "Apuiah (Ralte's nickname) handled the team fantastically." He added that Ralte deserves "a bit more recognition" despite other Indian players scoring goals.India's chances of qualifying for the third round of the World Cup qualifiers hinge on the results of their matches against Kuwait and Qatar. A victory against Kuwait would boost their hopes, while a defeat could jeopardize their chances.The AIFF is hopeful that Ralte will be able to resolve the conflict between his exam and the national team's commitments. However, if he is unable to participate, India will have to find a suitable replacement to fill the void in their midfield.

Real Madrid's magical run in the Champions League continued on Wednesday as they staged another thrilling comeback to defeat Bayern Munich 2-1 and reach the final for the second time in three seasons.After trailing 1-0 for much of the second half, Madrid rallied late with goals from Joselu in the 88th minute and stoppage time. The victory gave Madrid a 4-3 aggregate triumph and set up a final clash against Borussia Dortmund on June 1 in London.Madrid's victory was reminiscent of their remarkable run in 2022, when they pulled off several late comebacks at the Bernabeu. This time, they needed some late drama once again.Bayern had taken the lead through Alphonso Davies in the 68th minute, but Madrid refused to give up. Joselu's first goal came after Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer spilled an easy save, while his second was initially ruled offside but later allowed after video review."It's inexplicable," said Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti. "Fans who push us on, a fantastic stadium, players who never stop believing — it’s simply something magical.”Madrid's victory extended their record to 18 European Cup finals, nine of which have come in the Champions League era. They will be looking to add to their record-breaking tally when they face Dortmund in the final.Bayern, meanwhile, were left to rue their missed opportunities. They had dominated much of the match but failed to capitalize on their chances. Coach Thomas Tuchel described the offside call that ruled out their late equalizer as "disastrous" and "against the rules.""It hurts," said Tuchel. "It’ll take a while to recover, but on the one hand it’s a loss where we left it all out on the pitch."Dortmund, who eliminated Paris Saint-Germain in the semifinals, will be looking to upset Madrid in the final and claim their first European Cup since 1997.

Kylian Mbappe's dream of a grand farewell with Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final has been shattered after their shock elimination by Borussia Dortmund. The French superstar, who is set to depart PSG at the end of the season, had hoped to lead the club to their first-ever European title.However, Dortmund's 2-0 aggregate victory in the semi-finals has dashed those hopes. Mbappe, who is widely expected to join Real Madrid, was one of four PSG players to hit the woodwork in the second leg, as the French giants failed to overturn a one-goal deficit from the first leg.The defeat has been met with disappointment and criticism, with sports daily L'Equipe awarding Mbappe a dismal two out of 10 for his performance. The elimination marks another setback in PSG's long-standing quest for Champions League glory, adding to a string of disappointing knockout round exits.Despite the presence of Mbappe, PSG's squad has undergone a significant overhaul this season, with the departures of Lionel Messi and Neymar. Coach Luis Enrique has overseen the transition, but the team's lack of experience at the highest level may have ultimately cost them.The average age of PSG's starting lineup in the semi-final was just 24 years and 157 days, the youngest for any team in a Champions League semi-final since 2009. Enrique will hope that the experience gained by his young players will benefit them in the future.However, it remains to be seen how PSG can improve their chances of winning the Champions League without Mbappe. The club is expected to spend heavily on a replacement, but it is difficult to imagine a team better equipped to challenge for the trophy without the French superstar.

Xabi Alonso's Bayer Leverkusen, on the cusp of a historic achievement, will face Roma in the second leg of the Europa League semi-final on Thursday. With a 2-0 advantage from the first leg, Leverkusen is poised to extend their unbeaten streak to 49 games, surpassing Benfica's 59-year-old European football record.Leverkusen's remarkable run has already eclipsed Juventus' 43-match unbeaten streak from 2011 to 2012. A victory or even a one-goal loss against Roma would secure their place in the Europa League final in Dublin.The pursuit of an unbeaten season has become a driving force for Leverkusen. Goalkeeper and captain Lukas Hradecky believes it provides "extra motivation" and is a testament to the team's resilience.Despite Alonso's suspension, Leverkusen cruised to a 5-1 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt on Sunday, showcasing their depth and determination. They are also through to the German Cup final and have already secured the Bundesliga title.Former Leverkusen coach Rudi Voeller praised Alonso's "brave and adventurous" decision to hire him and highlighted the team's exceptional squad depth. He believes that Leverkusen's ability to strengthen not only their starting lineup but also their reserves is the key to their unbeaten run.Leverkusen is expected to welcome back Florian Wirtz and Alex Grimaldo for the second leg against Roma. Wirtz, a key attacking midfielder, has been instrumental in Leverkusen's Europa League campaign with four goals and four assists.With a near-full-strength squad and the home advantage, Leverkusen is well-positioned to break Benfica's record and continue their pursuit of an unprecedented treble.

Borussia Dortmund's triumph over Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League semi-finals has sent shockwaves through the football world. The German club's 2-0 aggregate victory was sealed by Mats Hummels' header in the second leg at the Parc des Princes, sending Dortmund to the final at Wembley Stadium on June 1.Kylian Mbappé, PSG's star forward, was a notable absentee from the celebrations. The French international, who is widely expected to join Real Madrid at the end of the season, cut a dejected figure as he left the field for the final time in a PSG jersey in the Champions League.Dortmund's victory was a testament to their defensive resilience and tactical discipline. They contained Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé effectively, limiting their attacking threat. Emre Can's presence in midfield provided a solid shield for the defense, while Karim Adeyemi's pace on the counter-attack caused PSG problems.PSG, despite their star-studded lineup, lacked the efficiency and composure to break down Dortmund's defense. They hit the woodwork three times, including a glaring miss from Warren Zaïre-Emery from close range. Gianluigi Donnarumma's failure to claim Hummels' header from a corner proved costly.Dortmund's victory is a major upset, considering PSG's financial muscle and the presence of Mbappé. It highlights the importance of teamwork, organization, and tactical discipline in football. The German club will now face either Real Madrid or Bayern Munich in the final, where they will aim to lift their second Champions League trophy.

Indian football's senior men's team head coach Igor Stimac has unveiled his second list of 15 probables for the Bhubaneswar camp in preparation for the FIFA World Cup 2026 preliminary joint qualification round 2 matches against Kuwait and Qatar. This announcement follows the release of the first list of 26 probables on Saturday.The 26 players from the first list will commence training in the Odisha capital on May 10. The 15 players from the second list, comprising players from Mumbai City FC and Mohun Bagan SG who contested the ISL Cup final, will join the camp on May 15.A total of 41 players will participate in the national camp. The Blue Tigers will face Kuwait in Kolkata on June 6 before traveling to Qatar on June 11 for their final two matches of Group A.India currently stands second in the group with four points from four matches. The top two teams in the group will advance to Round 3 of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers and secure their place at the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027.Second List of 15 Probables for Bhubaneswar Camp (Training from May 15):* Goalkeepers: Phurba Tempa Lachenpa, Vishal Kaith* Defenders: Akash Mishra, Anwar Ali, Mehtab Singh, Rahul Bheke, Subhasish Bose* Midfielders: Anirudh Thapa, Deepak Tangri, Lalengmawia Ralte, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Liston Colaco, Sahal Abdul Samad* Forwards: Manvir Singh, Vikram Partap SinghFirst List of 26 Probables for Bhubaneswar Camp (Training from May 10):* Goalkeepers: Amrinder Singh, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu* Defenders: Amey Ganesh Ranawade, Jay Gupta, Lalchungnunga, Muhammad Hammad, Narender, Nikhil Poojary, Roshan Singh Naorem* Midfielders: Brandon Fernandes, Edmund Lalrindika, Imran Khan, Isak Vanlalruatfela, Jeakson Singh Thounaojam, Mahesh Singh Naorem, Mohammad Yasir, Nandhakumar Sekar, Rahul Kannoly Praveen, Suresh Singh Wangjam, Vibin Mohanan* Forwards: David Lalhlansanga, Jithin Madathil Subran, Lalrinzuala, Parthib Sundar Gogoi, Rahim Ali, Sunil Chhetri

Manchester United's hopes of European football next season suffered a major blow as they were thrashed 4-0 by Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Monday. The defeat leaves United in eighth place in the Premier League table with just 54 points from 35 games, two points behind Newcastle United in sixth.A makeshift United defense, which included Casemiro at center-back, was easily exploited by Palace on several occasions. Jean-Philippe Mateta and Tyrick Mitchell were also on the scoresheet for the impressive win, while Michael Olise scored a brace.United had several injury absentees and were without Bruno Fernandes, but the ease with which they were beaten will be a huge concern for everyone at the club."A big disappointment. We just had an off-day and we weren't in it," midfielder Christian Eriksen told BBC. "It is what it is. We can't really change the injury things. We have to do what we can on the pitch to change it.""Today it didn't matter who we played. Everyone could have done better. We tried to do what we could but we were not good enough. We'll take the blame as players."It is the first time in the Premier League era that United have lost 13 games in a season, and the scoreline could have been worse.The home side took the lead inside 12 minutes as Olise collected a throw and evaded a limp challenge from Casemiro. With no United player attempting to close him down, he was able to unleash a low shot from just inside the box.It was 2-0 five minutes before the break as Mateta breezed past United defender Jonny Evans and thrashed the ball into the net for a ninth goal in 11 games since the arrival of Glasner in February.The striker had scored 11 goals in his previous 80 games for Palace before that.United's makeshift defense was struggling to contain the movement of their hosts, and when Diogo Dalot failed to deal with a ball to the back post, Mitchell had a tap-in.Olise's second goal added more salt to the wound, and it could have been worse for the visitors as Odsonne Edouard saw his shot come back off the woodwork late on."I think we could have got a few more. That shows the potential we have to play against any team in the league," Palace defender Chris Richards said.

Mama Balde's dramatic stoppage-time header propelled Lyon to a stunning 4-3 comeback victory over Lille in Ligue 1 on Monday, dealing a significant blow to Lille's Champions League aspirations.Lille appeared to be cruising towards victory after taking a 2-0 lead into the break, courtesy of Bafode Diakite's first-half header and Edon Zhegrova's strike. However, Lyon rallied in the second half, with Said Benrahma and Malick Fofana finding the net to level the scores.Diakite restored Lille's advantage with another header, but Alexandre Lacazette's close-range finish once again brought Lyon level. As the match entered injury time, Balde rose highest to meet Clinton Mata's cross and secure a dramatic victory for the visitors.The result leaves Lille in fourth place with two games remaining, two points behind Brest in third and four ahead of Nice in fifth. The top three teams qualify automatically for next season's Champions League, while the fourth-placed team enters the preliminary rounds.Lyon's victory, meanwhile, lifts them to seventh place, which could be enough to secure a spot in the Conference League if Paris Saint-Germain wins the French Cup.The match was a rare Monday kick-off in Ligue 1 due to the anniversary of the Furiani disaster in Corsica, where 18 people died and thousands were injured in 1992.