Chelsea roar back to beat Real Betis in UEFA Conference League final

Chelsea roar back to beat Real Betis in UEFA Conference League final
Chelsea's Reece James holds the trophy as he celebrates with his teammates after winning the Europa Conference League final soccer match between Real Betis and Chelsea in Wroclaw, Poland, Friday, June 7, 2019. (AP)
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Updated 29 May 2025

Chelsea roar back to beat Real Betis in UEFA Conference League final

Chelsea roar back to beat Real Betis in UEFA Conference League final

WROCLAW: Chelsea roared back to beat Real Betis 4-1 in the UEFA Conference League final in Wroclaw on Wednesday, becoming the first club to claim all four major European trophies.
Manuel Pellegrini’s enterprising Betis caught the favorites cold in Poland through an early goal from Abde Ezzalzouli but Enzo Maresca’s team were a changed side in the second half.
Two goals in five minutes changed the complexion of the game, with man-of-the-match Cole Palmer creating both openings for Enzo Fernandez and Nicolas Jackson.
Substitute Jadon Sancho made the game safe in the 83rd minute, finishing from an tight angle and Moises Caicedo added gloss to the scoreline.
It means Chelsea become the first club to win the full set of Champions League, Europa League, Conference League and the now-defunct Cup Winners’ Cup.
It is also the first silverware for the club since Todd Boehly’s consortium took over from former owner Roman Abramovich in 2022, following an era of unprecedented success for the club.
After a bright start from both sides, Betis broke the deadlock in the ninth minute through Ezzalzouli, who scored the goal against Fiorentina that took his side to the final.
Malo Gusto lost the ball in midfield and Betis surged forward. Captain Isco produced a clever pass to find Ezzalzouli on the edge of the box and the Moroccan drilled a left-footed shot across Filip Jorgensen.
Minutes later Marc Bartra tried his luck from distance as Betis pressed for a second, but this time Jorgensen was equal to the task, producing a flying save.
Urged on by their massed ranks of fans at Wroclaw stadium, Betis went close again when Johnny Cardoso’s shot from inside the box was deflected behind by Benoit Badiashile, with Chelsea clinging on.
The Premier League side were enjoying the bulk of possession but struggling to create meaningful chances, with Betis defending well and Isco, a five-time Champions League winner with Real Madrid, pulling the strings.
As half-time approached Betis goalkeeper Adrian raced off his line to deny Enzo Fernandez but Chelsea went in at half-time goalless.
Maresca brought on Chelsea captain Reece James for the struggling Gusto at the break.
The Betis boss was forced a change when goalscorer Ezzalzouli was forced off, with Jesus Rodriguez coming on to replace him.
Chelsea were level in the 65th minute following a fine move down the right after Cole Palmer produced a fine cross to pick out Fernandez.
The midfielder got between two defenders to head the ball down and past Adrian.
Suddenly Chelsea’s tails were up and the fans behind the goal were in full voice.
In the 70th minute Palmer produced some magic on the edge of the box before producing a delightful cross which hit Jackson’s chest and went in.
Jackson should have scored a second goal but a heavy touch allowed Adrian to gather.
But Sancho made it 3-1 when he combined with fellow substitute Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Caicedo added a fourth.
Victory for Chelsea breaks an astonishing cycle of wins for Spanish teams.
Taking into account World Cups, European Championships, Champions League and the UEFA Cup/Europa League, of the previous 27 men’s finals involving Spanish teams, all 27 had had Spanish winners.
Four Spanish club sides had been defeated in that time, but in all cases by fellow La Liga sides.
Earlier, the center of Wroclaw was packed with fans from both clubs, with green-and-white clad Betis fans outnumbering their English rivals.
Poland’s interior minister said police made 28 arrests after supporters clashed in the city’s market square.


AC Milan signs speedy Christopher Nkunku from Chelsea

AC Milan signs speedy Christopher Nkunku from Chelsea
Updated 59 min 50 sec ago

AC Milan signs speedy Christopher Nkunku from Chelsea

AC Milan signs speedy Christopher Nkunku from Chelsea
  • The French player signed a five-year contract, Milan announced without providing financial details
  • The 27-year-old Nkunku came up through Paris Saint-Germain’s youth system

MILAN: AC Milan signed dribbling expert Christopher Nkunku from Chelsea on Saturday for a reported fee of 37 million euros ($43 million).
The French player signed a five-year contract, Milan announced without providing financial details.
The 27-year-old Nkunku came up through Paris Saint-Germain’s youth system before moving to Leipzig in 2019. He spent the last two seasons at Chelsea and his extra-time goal sparked the Blues to a win over Benfica in the round of 16 at the Club World Cup – which Chelsea went on to win – in July. He scored 18 goals in 62 matches for Chelsea.
Known for his 1-on-1 abilities and speed with the ball, Nkunku will be counted on to add pace to Milan’s attack. He can play both as an attacking midfielder and as a forward. He has made 14 appearances for France.
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca said in August that Nkunku would no longer be part of the squad – after joining on a six-year deal in 2023 that was worth 52 million pounds (nearly $70 million).
“Christo is a fantastic professional,” Maresca said Friday. “The only problem with him is that in his position we have Cole Palmer, so it was tough to find minutes for him.”
Milan bounced back from a loss at the San Siro to promoted Cremonese in its Serie A opener with a 2-0 win at Lecce on Friday.


Miranda Wang waits a long time for a short birdie and leads rain-delayed FM Championship by 2 shots

Miranda Wang waits a long time for a short birdie and leads rain-delayed FM Championship by 2 shots
Updated 30 August 2025

Miranda Wang waits a long time for a short birdie and leads rain-delayed FM Championship by 2 shots

Miranda Wang waits a long time for a short birdie and leads rain-delayed FM Championship by 2 shots
  • Most of the wet day at TPC Boston was a series of rain delays, and it wound up taking Wang some 10 hours to finish the round
  • Wang: I didn’t expect the weather because on the forecast we didn’t see any thunderstorms coming in this morning. But, well, that’s golf

NORTON, Mass.: Miranda Wang waited a long time to make a short birdie and finally finish a 5-under 67, giving her a two-shot lead Friday among those who completed their second rounds in the rain-delayed FM Championship.

Most of the wet day at TPC Boston was a series of rain delays, and it wound up taking Wang some 10 hours to finish the round.

Nelly Korda, scheduled for an afternoon start, managed to get in four holes (two birdies) and will return with the second half of the field Saturday morning.

Jeeno Thitikul, the No. 1 player in women’s golf, joined Hannah Green and defending champion Lauren Coughlin in jogging down the ninth fairway when they saw darkening skies and wanted dearly to finish their round before the next delay.

“I don’t think I could have mentally prepared myself for another delay,” Green said with a laugh.

Wang already has 16 birdies over 36 holes and has stretches of big birdie runs. She started the tournament with eight birdies in her opening nine. She finished the second round with three in a row, only it didn’t go all that quickly.

She had an 8-foot birdie putt on the par-5 18th when the horn sounded — again — stopping play. Wang returned some two hours later and holed the putt to reach 11-under 133.

“I didn’t expect the weather because on the forecast we didn’t see any thunderstorms coming in this morning. But, well, that’s golf,” Wang said. “We’re playing in nature, so it’s sometimes unpredictable. We just have to face it and prepare mentally, physically for the thunderstorms and just try to stay calm and every time warm up just like you didn’t stop and just keep going.”

Madelene Sagstrom had a 66 and was at 9-under 135. Green (68), Azahara Munoz (68) and Celine Borge (66) were another shot back.

The LPGA was hopeful that with a reasonable weekend forecast, the tournament could be close to getting back on schedule by Saturday evening or Sunday morning. The plan was for the cut to be made and then to send threesomes off both nines.

Korda, who has yet to win this year, faced 32 holes on Saturday as she tries to stay in position for a chance at her first victory of the year.

Thitikul, who replaced Korda atop the world ranking earlier this month, charged into the mix with four birdies on the back nine. But she played the front nine in event par for a 68 and was four shots behind.

On this day, what mattered was finishing. It was her idea the group waste no time playing the ninth when they saw the clouds.

“The security guard told us ... three minutes left, so run, ready and go,” Thitikul said. “It was start and stop, start and stop. It was frustrating a little bit, but glad we’re done.”

Also four shots behind were Women’s British Open champion Miyu Yamashita (66) and Jodi Ewart Shadoff, who finished the opening round with four straight birdies to share the 18-hole lead. She had to settle for a 72 on Friday.


Hat-trick for Joao Felix on debut as Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal start their seasons in style

Hat-trick for Joao Felix on debut as Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal start their seasons in style
Updated 30 August 2025

Hat-trick for Joao Felix on debut as Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal start their seasons in style

Hat-trick for Joao Felix on debut as Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal start their seasons in style
  • Al-Nassr thrash Al-Taawoun 5-0, while last season’s Saudi Pro League runners-up Al-Hilal enjoy comfortable 2-0 victory over Al-Riyadh
  • Reigning champions Al-Ittihad begin the defense of their title on Saturday at Al-Okhdood

RIYADH: Al-Nassr began their 2025-26 Saudi Pro League campaign with a 5-0 thrashing of Al-Taawoun on Friday, while Al-Hilal also kicked off their season comfortably with a 2-0 victory over Al-Riyadh.

Joao Felix scored a hat-trick on his league debut for visiting Al-Nassr after his summer move from Chelsea, the first of his goals coming after just seven minutes. Angelo pulled the ball into the area from the left and Portuguese star Felix fired a first-time shot from the left side of the penalty spot into the opposite corner.

Cristiano Ronaldo increased the lead from the spot in the 54th minute after a handball in the area. And just a minute later it was effectively game over when Kingsley Coman scored his first goal in , heading home from the edge of the area.

Midway through the second half, Felix grabbed his second with another fine strike from distance. He wasn’t done yet, though his third, Al-Nassr’s fifth, came from close range.

Earlier, Al-Nassr’s Riyadh rivals, and last season’s SPL runners-up, Al-Hilal also took three points from their opening game, at home. After impressing at the FIFA Club World Cup this summer under new coach Simone Inzaghi, it did not take them long, after an early claim for a goal from new signing Darwin Nunez was ruled out, to begin their campaign in spectacular style during a dominant first-half performance.

The opener came midway through the opening 45 when Salem Al-Dawsari found Moteb Al-Harbi on the left and the 25-year-old unleashed a rocket from just inside the area that left goalkeeper Milan Borjan with no chance.

Al-Dawsari assisted once again for the second, just before the break, and it was another beauty. Malcom, now wearing No. 10, cut inside from the right, exchanged a quick one-two with Saudi international Al-Dawsari on the edge of the box and then curled the ball into the bottom corner.

There would be no more goals for the 19-time champions but nor was there ever much indication that they would fail to take all three points come full time.

In the day’s other game, visiting Al-Khaleej comfortably defeated Al-Shabab 4-1. Champions Al-Ittihad begin the defense of their title on Saturday at Al-Okhdood.


Lauri Markkanen’s 43 points lead Finland to 109-79 rout of Britain at EuroBasket

Lauri Markkanen’s 43 points lead Finland to 109-79 rout of Britain at EuroBasket
Updated 30 August 2025

Lauri Markkanen’s 43 points lead Finland to 109-79 rout of Britain at EuroBasket

Lauri Markkanen’s 43 points lead Finland to 109-79 rout of Britain at EuroBasket
  • Three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic of Denver Nuggets had 23 points and 10 rebounds and Miami Heat’s Nikola Jovic added 18 points and six boards as tournament favorite Serbia defeated Portugal 80-69
  • Sacramento Kings guard Dennis Schroder scored a game-high 23 points and made seven assists to lead world champions Germany to a 105-83 win over Sweden

TAMPERE, Finland: Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen scored 29 of his 43 points in the first half in a dazzling performance that highlighted Finland’s 109-79 rout of Britain at EuroBasket on Friday.

Markkanen played just 23 minutes while matching his EuroBasket high for points, set in 2022 against Croatia. He was four points off the all-time tournament record of 47 points by Slovenia’s Luka Doncic against France in 2022.

Finland are tied at 2-0 with Germany and Lithuania in Group B, which is being played in Tampere, Finland. Britain dropped to 0-2.

Markkanen, who scored 28 points in a 93-90 win over Sweden on Wednesday, shot 9 of 15 from the field in his 14 first-half minutes. He made five 3s in the first half and finished with seven, his last one giving Finland an 84-56 lead early in the fourth quarter. He was on the bench for the last 7 1/2 minutes.

Markkanen overshadowed teammate Sasu Salin, who shot 7 of 9 on 3s for all 21 of his points. Olivier Nkamhoua added 13 for Finland. Britain got 13 points from Luke Nelson.

Jokic, Jovic lead Serbia

Three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets had 23 points and 10 rebounds and the Miami Heat’s Nikola Jovic added 18 points and six boards as tournament favorite Serbia defeated Portugal 80-69 in Riga, Latvia. Serbia improved to 2-0 in Group A and Portugal dropped to 1-1.

Jovic’s inside basket early in the third quarter gave Serbia it’s biggest lead, 53-35, and Portugal never got closer than nine points the rest of the way.

Diogo Brito had 22 points and nine rebounds to lead Portugal and Travante Williams had 15 points and five steals.

Germany roll past Sweden

Sacramento Kings guard Dennis Schroder scored a game-high 23 points and made seven assists to lead world champions Germany to a 105-83 win over Sweden.

Schroder shot 7 for 12 from the field, making three 3-pointers. Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner added 21 points as Germany went 2-0 in Group B after also beating Montenegro in its opening game.

Melwin Pantzar led Sweden with 18 points, with Pelle Larsson of the Miami Heat sidelined by an undisclosed illness.

Germany shot 60 percent for the game. Daniel Theis made a quick three buckets to help build an 8-0 lead and the world champion never looked back.

Germany are among the title contenders after they upset the US en route to winning the 2023 Basketball World Cup, beating Serbia in the final.

Valanciunas leads Lithuania

Denver Nuggets center Jonas Valanciunas scored 19 points on 8-of-9 shooting to lead Lithuania to a 94-76 win over Montenegro.

Lithuania, 2-0 in Group B, made a EuroBasket record 35 assists, according to the organizers.

The 33-year-old Valanciunas also reached the milestone of 500 points in Eurobaskets, playing in his sixth edition of the tournament.

Sengun nearly has triple double

Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun came close to a triple double as he helped Turkiye beat the Czech Republic 92-78.

Sengun scored 23 points on 8-of-9 shooting, pulled in 12 rebounds, and made nine assists as Turkiye impoved to 2-0 in Group A, which is being played in Riga.

Turkiye got 21 more points from Cedi Osman and as his team dominated in points in the paint, 50-26.

Czech center Martin Peterka stepped outside and hit five 3-pointers, scoring 23 in a losing effort.

The Czechs, 0-2, hit five early 3-pointers to open a six-point lead after the first quarter, but Turkiye responded with a 14-0 run and never fell behind again.

Porzingis keys Latvia comeback

Atlanta Hawks center Kristaps Porzingis started Latvia’s comeback late in the third quarter and finished with 26 points in a 72-70 win over Estonia in Riga.

Estonia was up by seven points when Porzingis hit a short turnaround jumper, and Kristers Zoriks’ 3-pointer gave Latvia their first lead at 63-61. Estonia pulled to 66-64 in the fourth quarter, but Porzingis’ dunk and three-point play made it a seven-point game with a minute left.

Arturs Zagars had eight points, six assists and three steals for Latvia, who won despite shooting 18.2 percent (6 of 33) on 3-pointers. Latvia improved to 1-1 in Group A.

Matthias Tass and Artur Konontsuk scored 13 points apiece and Kristian Kullamae added 12 for Estonia, who dropped to 0-2 in group play.


US Open: Novak Djokovic shakes off back problem, reaches fourth round at 38

US Open: Novak Djokovic shakes off back problem, reaches fourth round at 38
Updated 30 August 2025

US Open: Novak Djokovic shakes off back problem, reaches fourth round at 38

US Open: Novak Djokovic shakes off back problem, reaches fourth round at 38
  • The 24-time Grand Slam champion seemed in jeopardy of matching his earliest exit in Flushing Meadows
  • It’s the third time at a Grand Slam tournament this season that Djokovic has been hampered

NEW YORK: Novak Djokovic shook off a back problem early in the match to beat Cam Norrie on Friday night and at 38 become the oldest man to reach the fourth round of the US Open since Jimmy Connors was the same age in 1991.
Djokovic pulled away to win 6-4, 6-7 (4), 6-2, 6-3, helped by hitting 18 aces in what he said was his best serving performance of the tournament.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion seemed in jeopardy of matching his earliest exit in Flushing Meadows when he needed medical attention near the end of the first set. But he recovered to reach the last 16 of a major for the 69th time, matching Roger Federer for most ever, and will next face German qualifier Jan-Lennard Struff.
The No. 7-seeded Djokovic wouldn’t reveal specifics of his injury in his interview on the court after the match.
“I’m good. I’m as young as ever and as strong as ever,” Djokovic said.
It was during a point at 5-3 in the first set that Djokovic raised his racket awkwardly to reach a volley and immediately showed signs that all was not well. He began trying to stretch his back between points and barely ran for one ball that Norrie hit toward a corner.
After that, Djokovic indicated to the chair umpire that he wanted a visit from a trainer, and soon was walking to the locker room for a medical timeout, clutching at his lower left back. Djokovic returned to the court soon and held serve to take the opening set.
At the changeover at 2-1 in the second set, Djokovic got a back massage while seated on the sideline and also was given pills by a doctor.
It’s the third time at a Grand Slam tournament this season that Djokovic has been hampered after getting hurt during a match. At the Australian Open in January, he tore a hamstring and was unable to continue after one set of his semifinal against Alexander Zverev.
At Wimbledon in July, Djokovic took an awkward fall in the last game of his quarterfinal victory, tweaking his groin muscle, and while he stayed in the bracket there, he was clearly compromised during a semifinal loss against eventual champion Jannik Sinner.
The US Open was Djokovic’s first tournament since then and he’s had some struggles in each of his first three matches.
“My team wants me to suffer on the court so I can get more minutes of match play,” he joked.