Football

Meghalaya Football Association Bans Mizoram Players for Match FixingThe Meghalaya Football Association (MFA) has taken a strong stance against match fixing by barring two Mizoram footballers, Flavius Lalruakima and C Vanlalhriata, from playing in the ongoing Shillong Premier League. The decision comes after the Mizoram Football Association (MFA) banned 25 players, including Lalruakima and Vanlalhriata, for their alleged involvement in match manipulation.The MFA's decision is a testament to its commitment to upholding the integrity of the sport. Match fixing undermines the fairness and credibility of football, and the MFA is determined to prevent such illegal activities from tarnishing the reputation of the game in Meghalaya.The Mizoram FA's investigation uncovered evidence of corruption in the form of match manipulation, which has severely damaged the reputation of football in the state. The banned players, officials, and clubs have been found guilty of engaging in illegal activities that have compromised the integrity of the sport.The MFA has expressed its support for the Mizoram FA's decision and has vowed to ensure that none of the sanctioned players can participate in any football league affiliated with the Meghalaya Football Association. This move sends a strong message to players that match fixing will not be tolerated and that those who engage in such activities will face severe consequences.The MFA's decision is a significant step towards safeguarding the integrity of football in Meghalaya. By standing in solidarity with the Mizoram FA, the MFA is demonstrating its commitment to fair play and ethical conduct in the sport.

Bayern Munich's Champions League campaign received a much-needed boost with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Benfica at the Allianz Arena. After consecutive defeats in Europe, the German giants found themselves in a precarious position, but Jamal Musiala's second-half goal proved to be the difference.Despite dominating possession, Bayern struggled to create clear-cut chances against a resolute Benfica defense. The home crowd, in a somber mood due to a hospitalized fan, remained silent throughout the match. However, Musiala's header from a Harry Kane assist broke the deadlock in the 70th minute.Bayern's victory was far from convincing, but it was enough to lift them to 17th place in the Champions League standings. They still have work to do to secure a knockout spot, especially with a daunting clash against Paris Saint-Germain looming."We had good moments, but the opponent defended well," said Musiala after the match. "It was very important to get three points today. We don't have to win every game by four or five goals. Sometimes 1-0 is enough."Bayern coach Vincent Kompany echoed Musiala's sentiments, saying, "Sometimes it's good to win like this -- even though we of course prefer to win by three or four. I knew we needed to stay patient and calm. We did that well. It was a good game and a good win."Despite their struggles in Europe, Bayern remain unbeaten at the top of the Bundesliga table. However, their Champions League campaign has been a rollercoaster ride so far. After a 9-2 thrashing of Dinamo Zagreb, they suffered a 1-0 loss at Aston Villa and a 4-1 humiliation at the hands of Barcelona.The match against Benfica was delayed by 15 minutes due to public transport issues, and the home fans remained silent throughout due to a medical emergency in the stands. Bayern captain Manuel Neuer revealed that the team "didn't celebrate in the cabin like we normally would" due to the incident.As the game wore on, Bayern grew nervous, but Benfica failed to capitalize on their few chances. Leroy Sane's introduction as a substitute added some much-needed speed, and he played a key role in Musiala's goal.Bayern's final match before the international break is against St Pauli in Hamburg on Saturday. They will be hoping to build on their Champions League victory and maintain their dominance in the Bundesliga.

In a thrilling Champions League encounter at the Parc des Princes, substitute Angel Correa's dramatic 93rd-minute goal secured a crucial 2-1 victory for Atletico Madrid over Paris Saint-Germain. The result reignited Atletico's European hopes while casting a shadow over PSG's aspirations.PSG took an early lead through Warren Zaire-Emery's composed finish in the 14th minute. However, Atletico responded swiftly, with Nahuel Molina equalizing just four minutes later. The hosts dominated possession and created numerous chances, but their profligacy in front of goal proved costly.Atletico, missing several key defenders, defended resolutely, with goalkeeper Jan Oblak making several impressive saves to keep PSG at bay. As the game entered its final stages, it seemed destined for a draw.However, in a moment of brilliance, Correa broke the deadlock. After PSG failed to clear a loose ball, the Argentine forward collected it and fired a low shot past Gianluigi Donnarumma, sending the Atletico bench into raptures.The victory was a much-needed boost for Atletico, who had lost their previous two matches. It puts them back on track to qualify for the play-off round of the Champions League.For PSG, the defeat was a major setback. Despite being top of Ligue 1, they have struggled in Europe this season, with just four points from four games. Their hopes of reaching the knockout stages are now in jeopardy.

Inter Milan maintained their unbeaten streak in the Champions League with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Arsenal at the San Siro. Hakan Calhanoglu's first-half penalty proved to be the decisive moment, handing the Gunners their first defeat in the revamped tournament.Inter dominated the early exchanges, with Denzel Dumfries rattling the crossbar within the opening minute. However, Arsenal gradually grew into the game and created several chances of their own. Mikel Arteta's side felt aggrieved when they were denied a penalty after Yann Sommer collided with Mikel Merino, but their protests fell on deaf ears.Just before the break, Inter were awarded a spot-kick when Merino was adjudged to have handled Mehdi Taremi's flick. Calhanoglu stepped up and coolly slotted home, giving the hosts a slender advantage heading into the interval.After the restart, Arsenal continued to press for an equalizer, but Inter's defense held firm. Dumfries cleared off the line to deny Gabriel Martinelli, while Sommer produced a stunning save to keep out Kai Havertz's effort.Simone Inzaghi introduced Marcus Thuram, Nicolo Barella, and Henrikh Mkhitaryan in the second half to bolster Inter's attack. However, Arsenal remained a threat, with Havertz coming close to scoring on several occasions.In the end, Inter held on for a hard-earned victory that keeps them in contention for a top-eight finish in the Champions League. Arsenal, meanwhile, will be disappointed to have lost their unbeaten record but will take solace in the fact that they played well against a strong opponent.

Barcelona continued their impressive form in the Champions League with a dominant 5-2 victory over Red Star Belgrade on Wednesday. Robert Lewandowski led the charge with a brace, taking his career tally in the competition to 99 goals.The Catalan giants took the lead in the 13th minute through Inigo Martinez's header from Raphinha's free-kick. However, Red Star equalized in the 27th minute when Silas capitalized on a defensive lapse.Barcelona regained the lead just before halftime when Lewandowski pounced on the rebound after Raphinha's shot hit the post. The Polish striker doubled his tally in the 53rd minute, finishing from close range after Jules Kounde's cross.Raphinha extended Barcelona's lead to 4-1 with a low drive from the edge of the box. Substitute Fermin Lopez added the fifth goal in the 82nd minute, assisted by Kounde.Despite Milson's consolation goal for Red Star, Barcelona cruised to a comfortable victory. The win keeps them in contention for the top spot in their Champions League group, having previously thrashed Bayern Munich 4-1.Barcelona's attacking prowess has been on full display in recent weeks, with the team scoring at least three goals in each of their last seven matches across all competitions. Lewandowski has been a key figure in this run, scoring 19 goals in 16 appearances this season.

Inter Milan and Arsenal Set for Crucial Champions League ClashArsenal captain Martin Odegaard is poised to make his long-awaited return from injury as the Gunners prepare to face Inter Milan in a pivotal UEFA Champions League encounter at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on Thursday. Odegaard has been sidelined for the past 12 matches due to an injury sustained on international duty with Norway, but he has resumed training and traveled with the squad to Milan.Both Inter Milan and Arsenal are locked on seven points in the Champions League standings, setting the stage for a thrilling contest between two teams harboring aspirations of advancing deep into the tournament. Inter, under the guidance of Simone Inzaghi, has enjoyed an impressive eight-match unbeaten run, including seven victories. Arsenal, on the other hand, suffered a disappointing 0-1 defeat to Newcastle United in the Premier League last weekend.Inter will be looking to extend their winning streak and strengthen their position at the top of the group, while Arsenal will be eager to bounce back from their recent setback and keep their Champions League hopes alive. The match promises to be a tactical battle between two well-organized teams with a wealth of attacking talent.Inter's attacking trio of Lautaro Martinez, Edin Dzeko, and Hakan Calhanoglu will pose a significant threat to Arsenal's defense. The Gunners, however, will be buoyed by the return of Odegaard, whose creativity and leadership could prove invaluable in unlocking Inter's defense.The match will be played at the iconic San Siro Stadium in Milan, Italy, and will kick off at 1:30 AM (IST) on Thursday, November 7. Fans can catch the live telecast on Sony Sports Network and the live streaming on Sony Liv.

FC Goa's impressive run in the Indian Super League continued on Wednesday as they secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Punjab FC. This triumph marked their second consecutive win, propelling them to the top three in the league standings.The match began with Punjab FC taking an early lead through Asmir Sujik's strike in the 13th minute. However, FC Goa responded swiftly, with Armando Sadiku equalizing just nine minutes later. The first half ended with both teams level at 1-1.In the second half, FC Goa stepped up their intensity and pace. Their efforts paid off in the 49th minute when Iker Garrotxena scored the winning goal with a clinical left-footed strike. Despite Punjab FC's persistent attempts to level the score, FC Goa's defense held firm, securing the victory.This win was a testament to FC Goa's growing confidence and momentum. After breaking Bengaluru FC's unbeaten streak 3-0 in their previous match, they have now established themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the league.Iker Garrotxena was the standout performer for FC Goa, scoring one goal and assisting another. His contributions were crucial in securing the three points. Armando Sadiku also played a vital role, scoring the equalizer and providing a constant threat to the Punjab FC defense.Punjab FC, on the other hand, will be disappointed with the result. Despite taking an early lead, they were unable to maintain their advantage and ultimately succumbed to FC Goa's pressure.With this victory, FC Goa moved to third place in the standings with 12 points from eight matches. Punjab FC, meanwhile, suffered their second defeat in six matches.

Kerala Blasters, currently languishing in the 10th position of the Indian Super League (ISL) standings, have a crucial opportunity to climb the table when they face Hyderabad FC at the Nehru Stadium on Thursday. The Blasters, with eight points, are just two points behind Hyderabad, who occupy the ninth spot.However, the Blasters will be without two key players for this match. Star striker Noah Sadaoui, who has been out with an injury for the past two games, will continue to be sidelined. Ghanaian forward Kwame Peprah, who was sent off in the last match against Mumbai City, will also miss the game.Peprah's absence will be a significant blow to the Blasters, as he has been their leading scorer this season with three goals. Captain Adrian Luna will have to shoulder more of the attacking burden in Peprah's absence.Blasters head coach Mikael Stahre is aware of the importance of this match and is determined to learn from the mistakes made in the previous game. "You can't let the losses influence your mind too much, you have to move on," said Stahre. "My job now is to help the team take the negatives as learning points and continue to play like we were playing around the 70th minute before we got that red card."Hyderabad FC, on the other hand, will be looking to build on their recent form. They have won two of their last three matches and will be confident of getting a positive result against the Blasters.The match is expected to be a close and competitive affair, with both teams desperate for points. The Blasters will be looking to bounce back from their recent setbacks, while Hyderabad will be aiming to continue their upward trajectory.

Xabi Alonso's bittersweet return to Anfield ended in a resounding 4-0 defeat for his Bayer Leverkusen side as Liverpool maintained their perfect record in the Champions League. Luis Diaz stole the show with a hat-trick, while Cody Gakpo also found the net for the Reds.Alonso, who won the Champions League with Liverpool as a player, was warmly received by the home crowd despite his decision to remain at Leverkusen. However, his team was outclassed by a rampant Liverpool side that dominated the second half.Arne Slot's tactical masterstroke of moving Diaz into a central role proved decisive. The Colombian opened the scoring with a delightful chip over Lukas Hradecky and added two more goals in the second half. Gakpo's header from Mohamed Salah's cross put the game beyond doubt, and Diaz completed his hat-trick in stoppage time.Despite the heavy defeat, Alonso remained optimistic about Leverkusen's chances of progressing to the knockout stages. "We are in a good position to fight to go through to the next round," he said. "Today it will be tougher to sleep, but we have time to see the positives as well."Liverpool, meanwhile, are almost assured of a place in the last 16 and are closing in on direct progression to the knockout stages. Slot praised his team's performance, saying, "Second half we could adjust the gameplan, we took more risks and we were better with the ball as well."