Football

The Ballon d'Or ceremony, the pinnacle of individual recognition in world football, will take place in Paris on Monday, with Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior and Barcelona's Aitana Bonmati emerging as the frontrunners for the men's and women's awards, respectively.Vinicius, the heir to Cristiano Ronaldo's iconic number seven shirt at Real Madrid, has emerged as the favorite to succeed Lionel Messi as the Men's Ballon d'Or winner. His exceptional season, which culminated in the Spanish championship and Champions League triumphs, has earned him widespread acclaim."Vinicius is going to win (the Ballon d'Or)," declared Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti after his player's hat-trick in a 5-2 Champions League victory against Borussia Dortmund. "And not because of the three goals but because of his character. He's extraordinary."Despite a less influential performance in Saturday's La Liga Clasico, Vinicius's six goals in last season's Champions League, including a brace in the semi-final and a goal in the final, have solidified his status as a leading contender.Vinicius has also become a symbol of the fight against racism, having faced numerous incidents of abuse since his arrival in Spain in 2018. His defiance against Valencia supporters in May 2023 garnered worldwide support.Vinicius's main challengers for the Ballon d'Or include his Real Madrid teammate Jude Bellingham, Manchester City's Rodri, and goal-scoring machines Erling Haaland, Harry Kane, and Kylian Mbappe. Real Madrid right-back Dani Carvajal is also an outside contender after a season that saw him lift the treble of La Liga, Champions League, and European Championship.In the Women's Ballon d'Or, Barcelona's Aitana Bonmati is the overwhelming favorite to retain the title she won for the first time last season. The 26-year-old playmaker was once again the standout performer for a team that achieved a historic continental quadruple of domestic league and cup, Spanish Supercopa, and Champions League.Barcelona's dominance in the women's game is evident in the number of nominees from the Catalan club, with attackers Caroline Graham Hansen and Salma Paralluelo considered the main threats to Bonmati's reign.The Ballon d'Or ceremony will take place in the heart of Paris on Monday, where the winners, as determined by an international jury of football journalists, will be unveiled.

India's SAFF Women's Championship campaign came to an abrupt end in a chaotic semifinal match against Nepal. The match, played in Kathmandu on Sunday, ended in a 2-4 penalty shootout loss for India after a controversial refereeing decision sparked a lengthy protest from the home side.Nepal will now face Bangladesh in the final, who defeated Bhutan 7-1 in the other semifinal.The match at the Dasharath Stadium was marred by drama from the outset. India took the lead in the 62nd minute through Sangita Basfore's stunning strike from outside the box. However, Nepal's celebrations were cut short when the referee disallowed a goal, sparking a furious protest from the home side.The match was then held up for over 70 minutes as Nepal refused to continue, demanding a reversal of the referee's decision. The scene on the pitch descended into chaos, with players and officials from both sides engaging in heated exchanges.After lengthy discussions between the supervising officials and the Nepal side, the match eventually resumed. However, the long delay appeared to have disrupted India's rhythm and concentration. Seconds after the restart, Nepal equalized through Sabitra Bhandari, sending the game into extra time.In the penalty shootout, Nepal converted all four of their attempts, while India could only manage two. Skipper Ashalata Devi and Ranjana Chanu missed their spot-kicks, handing Nepal the victory.The controversy began in the second half when Nepal striker Rekha Poudel was sent off for a second yellow card offense. The Nepal players protested vehemently, leading to a tense atmosphere in the stands.The situation escalated after India's goal, when Nepal attempted to restart the game and score into an empty net. The referee disallowed the goal, prompting the Nepal players and officials to walk off the pitch.It took over an hour for the organizers and supervising officials to resolve the issue and get the match back underway. However, India were unable to regain their composure and ultimately fell to defeat.

Mohamed Salah's late equalizer salvaged a pulsating 2-2 draw for Liverpool against title rivals Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday. The Egyptian star's goal came with just nine minutes remaining, preventing Arsenal from securing a crucial victory.Liverpool had fallen behind to Bukayo Saka's early opener, but Virgil van Dijk equalized in the 18th minute. Mikel Merino restored Arsenal's lead before half-time, but Salah's eighth goal in 13 games this season ensured the Reds left north London with a point.The draw was a major setback for Arsenal's title hopes, as they now trail Manchester City by five points. Liverpool, meanwhile, remain one point behind City, who beat Southampton 1-0 on Saturday.Arsenal's defensive woes were exposed once again, with Gabriel Magalhaes and Jurrien Timber both forced off with injuries in the second half. The Gunners have now gone two league games without a win, leaving them with only three victories in their last seven top-flight matches.Liverpool showed impressive resolve to twice come from behind against a fellow title contender. They will be happier with the point after a disappointing performance in the first half.Saka gave Arsenal the perfect start with a stunning strike in the ninth minute. Liverpool nearly equalized immediately, but Salah's shot went just wide.The Reds did level the scores in the 18th minute when Van Dijk headed home from a corner. However, Arsenal regained the lead in the 43rd minute when Merino headed in a free-kick.Liverpool pressed for an equalizer in the second half, but Arsenal's defense held firm until the closing stages. With just nine minutes left, Alexander-Arnold's pass sent Nunez clear, and the Uruguayan slipped in Salah for the equalizer.Arsenal's defensive injuries proved costly, as they were unable to hold on for the victory. The Gunners will now face a tough task to get their title challenge back on track.

In a thrilling Super League Kerala encounter at the EMS Corporation Stadium, Kannur Warriors FC emerged victorious over a spirited Malappuram FC, securing a 4-3 victory and a berth in the semifinals.Kannur, desperate for a win after their previous loss, started the match with a flurry of attacks. Spaniard Asier Gomes opened the scoring in the second minute with a precise cross from Rishad. Midfielder Pragyan Sundar doubled the lead in the eighth minute, showcasing his determination and skill as he dribbled past defenders and beat goalkeeper Muhammed Sinan.Malappuram, however, refused to be outdone. Faslu Rahman pulled one back in the 28th minute with an angled shot, followed by a smart freekick from Aitor Aldalur just before halftime. The teams were level at 3-3 in the 52nd minute when Sergio Barboza scored for Malappuram.But Kannur had the last laugh. Adrian Sardinero restored their lead in the 48th minute, and Alister Anthony sealed the victory with a goal in the 79th minute. The result propelled Kannur to 16 points, level with league leader Calicut FC, and secured their place in the semifinals.The match was a testament to the attacking prowess of both teams, with seven goals scored in total. Kannur's quick start and Malappuram's resilience made for an entertaining spectacle. The victory was crucial for Kannur, who had been under pressure after their previous defeat.

Arsenal, currently sitting in third place in the Premier League, will face a formidable challenge on Sunday as they host Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium. The Gunners will be without key defender William Saliba, who received a red card in their surprising defeat to Bournemouth last weekend.Despite the absence of Saliba, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta remains confident in his team's ability to overcome the odds. "This is the game. Obviously, we didn't want to be in this situation, but we are lucky to have the squad we have. Don't feel sorry for ourselves," Arteta said.Bukayo Saka, Riccardo Calafiori, and Jurrien Timber are all racing against time to be fit for the clash. Their availability would provide a significant boost to Arsenal's chances of securing a victory.Liverpool, under the guidance of Jurgen Klopp, have been in impressive form this season. They currently trail Arsenal by four points in the league standings. The Reds will be looking to extend their winning streak and close the gap on the Gunners.The match promises to be an exciting encounter between two of the Premier League's top teams. Arsenal will be eager to bounce back from their recent setback, while Liverpool will be determined to maintain their momentum.

Napoli maintained their Serie A dominance with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Lecce, extending their lead at the summit to five points. Captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo proved to be the match-winner, bundling home the only goal after a scramble in the box.Despite their dominance, Napoli struggled to create clear-cut chances against a spirited Lecce side. Romelu Lukaku missed a golden opportunity from close range, while Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Matteo Politano were kept on the bench.Lecce, who had suffered a humiliating 6-0 defeat to Fiorentina in their previous outing, showed resilience and determination. They matched Napoli's intensity and could have easily earned a point on another day.Meanwhile, Atalanta celebrated coach Gian Piero Gasperini's 400th match in style, thrashing Verona 6-1. Marten de Roon, Charles De Ketelaere, Mateo Retegui, and Ademola Lookman all found the net as Atalanta raced into a 5-0 lead within the first half hour.Retegui, who has scored 10 goals in his first nine league matches for Atalanta, attributed his success to the support of his teammates and fans. "It's down to the faith shown in me by the lads and the fans," he said.Verona coach Paolo Zanetti was left shell-shocked as his team was outplayed and outclassed. Amin Sarr scored a consolation goal for Verona, but it was a mere footnote in Atalanta's dominant display.

Bayer Leverkusen's title defense has hit a roadblock after they dropped more points in a 2-2 draw at Werder Bremen on Saturday. Despite taking the lead twice, Leverkusen was unable to hold on to their advantage, conceding an equalizer in the 90th minute.Last season, Leverkusen's remarkable unbeaten run to the Bundesliga title saw them drop only 12 points. However, under new coach Xabi Alonso, they have already lost nine points in just eight games. Despite the setbacks, Alonso remains optimistic about his team's chances."Now in October, it's too early," Alonso said. "We want to be more consistent and when we get to that level, we will pick up more points. Anything can happen in the table... there's too many matches to come."While Leverkusen's attacking prowess remains evident, their defense has been a cause for concern. They have conceded 15 goals in eight games, compared to just 24 in 34 games last season. Alonso acknowledged the need for improvement."We want the feeling that we can control the game, that we don't give away chances to the opponent," Alonso said. "We didn't do that well today. We gave Bremen the chances and made it too easy -- it's not good and I'm of course not satisfied."Midfielder Granit Xhaka echoed Alonso's sentiments, expressing frustration at Leverkusen's inability to close out the match."If you don't kill the game, you concede -- it's very simple in football," Xhaka said. "It should not be possible that we go in front twice and still don't win the game. It's not enough like this -- we need to see the reality at the moment."Despite the setbacks, Leverkusen remains within striking distance of league leaders RB Leipzig, sitting five points behind. With plenty of matches remaining, Alonso and his team will be determined to turn things around and mount a serious title challenge.

Serie A frontrunner Napoli secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over relegation-threatened Lecce at home on Saturday, extending their lead at the summit.Napoli's captain, Giovanni Di Lorenzo, emerged as the hero, scoring the decisive goal in the 89th minute. The goal came after a rebound from a header by Scott McTominay, who had joined Napoli on loan from Manchester United in the summer.The victory was Napoli's fourth consecutive league win, solidifying their position at the top of the Serie A standings. They now sit five points clear of defending champions Inter Milan, who face rivals Juventus on Sunday.Lecce, on the other hand, remain just one point above last-placed Venezia. The defeat was a setback in their fight against relegation, as they continue to struggle for form.Napoli's dominance was evident throughout the match, with the hosts controlling possession and creating numerous scoring opportunities. However, Lecce's defense held firm, frustrating Napoli's attackers for much of the game.The introduction of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in the 88th minute proved to be a game-changer for Napoli. The Georgian winger's presence on the pitch sparked a renewed sense of urgency in the Napoli attack, leading to Di Lorenzo's late winner.Napoli's victory is a testament to their resilience and determination. Despite facing a stubborn Lecce defense, they never gave up and eventually found a way to break through. The win also highlights the importance of Di Lorenzo, who has been a key figure in Napoli's success this season.

East Bengal's AFC Challenge League campaign got off to a thrilling start as they salvaged a crucial 2-2 draw against Bhutan's Paro FC. The Indian Super League side showed resilience to come back from a 2-1 deficit at halftime, with Dimitrios Diamantakos scoring a vital equaliser in the second half.East Bengal made a bright start to the match, taking the lead in the 5th minute through Madih Talal. The Syrian forward converted Saul Crespo's precise cutback to put the visitors ahead. However, Paro FC responded quickly, with William Opoku equalising from the penalty spot just three minutes later.The home side continued to press forward, testing East Bengal's defence with long-range efforts from Koki Narita and Tomoyuki Unno. Paro's persistence paid off in stoppage time, when Evans Asante capitalised on a swift counterattack to give them a 2-1 lead at the break.In the second half, East Bengal pushed forward in search of an equaliser. Kazuo Homma nearly extended Paro's lead with a close-range header, but Diamantakos responded with a shot that went wide. The Greek forward made no mistake with his next opportunity, however, coolly finishing Nandhakumar Sekar's pinpoint cross in the 69th minute.East Bengal continued to press for a winner, but Paro FC held firm to secure a share of the spoils. The Indian side will now look ahead to their next Group A clash against Bangladesh's Bashundhara Kings on Tuesday, aiming to build on this hard-earned draw.