×
Hugo Ekitike out of FIFA World Cup 2026 in huge injury blow to France — Reports  France forward Hugo Ekitike ​suffered a ruptured Achilles ‌during Liverpool’s Champions League ​clash against Paris ⁠Saint-Germain on Tuesday and will miss the World ‌Cup, French newspapers        Le Parisien and ‌       L’Equipe reported on ‌Wednesday.The ⁠23-year-old pointed to ⁠his Achilles tendon as medical staff attended to him ​before he ‌was carried off on a stretcher at Anfield, where Liverpool lost 2-0 ‌in their quarter-final ​second leg, exiting the competition with ⁠a 4-0 aggregate defeat.The French football federation (FFF) was ‌not immediately available for comment.Ekitike has 17 goals in all competitions this season since Liverpool signed him ‌from Eintracht Frankfurt for 69 ​million pounds (USD 93.58 million) in July.The World Cup ⁠is being held in ⁠the United States, Mexico and Canada ‌from June 11-July 19Published on Apr 15, 2026  #Hugo #Ekitike #FIFA #World #Cup #huge #injury #blow #France #Reports

Hugo Ekitike out of FIFA World Cup 2026 in huge injury blow to France — Reports

France forward Hugo Ekitike ​suffered a ruptured Achilles ‌during Liverpool’s Champions League ​clash against Paris ⁠Saint-Germain on Tuesday and will miss the World ‌Cup, French newspapers Le Parisien and ‌ L’Equipe reported on ‌Wednesday.

The ⁠23-year-old pointed to ⁠his Achilles tendon as medical staff attended to him ​before he ‌was carried off on a stretcher at Anfield, where Liverpool lost 2-0 ‌in their quarter-final ​second leg, exiting the competition with ⁠a 4-0 aggregate defeat.

The French football federation (FFF) was ‌not immediately available for comment.

Ekitike has 17 goals in all competitions this season since Liverpool signed him ‌from Eintracht Frankfurt for 69 ​million pounds (USD 93.58 million) in July.

The World Cup ⁠is being held in ⁠the United States, Mexico and Canada ‌from June 11-July 19

Published on Apr 15, 2026

#Hugo #Ekitike #FIFA #World #Cup #huge #injury #blow #France #Reports

France forward Hugo Ekitike ​suffered a ruptured Achilles ‌during Liverpool’s Champions League ​clash against Paris ⁠Saint-Germain on Tuesday and will miss the World ‌Cup, French newspapers Le Parisien and ‌ L’Equipe reported on ‌Wednesday.

The ⁠23-year-old pointed to ⁠his Achilles tendon as medical staff attended to him ​before he ‌was carried off on a stretcher at Anfield, where Liverpool lost 2-0 ‌in their quarter-final ​second leg, exiting the competition with ⁠a 4-0 aggregate defeat.

The French football federation (FFF) was ‌not immediately available for comment.

Ekitike has 17 goals in all competitions this season since Liverpool signed him ‌from Eintracht Frankfurt for 69 ​million pounds (USD 93.58 million) in July.

The World Cup ⁠is being held in ⁠the United States, Mexico and Canada ‌from June 11-July 19

Published on Apr 15, 2026

Source link
#Hugo #Ekitike #FIFA #World #Cup #huge #injury #blow #France #Reports

Previous post

Deadspin | Craig Albernaz, Orioles showing their resolve vs. D-backs <div id=""><section id="0" class=" w-full"><div class="xl:container mx-0 !px-4 py-0 pb-4 !mx-0 !px-0"><img src="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28652366.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28652366.jpg" alt="MLB: Baltimore Orioles at Pittsburgh Pirates" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Apr 3, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Baltimore Orioles manager Craig Albernaz (55) during the national anthem against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>A three-game series between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Baltimore Orioles already has been eventful.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>One of the teams will capture the series victory when they meet for the decisive game of the set on Wednesday afternoon in Baltimore.</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>The Diamondbacks evened the series with a 4-3 victory on Tuesday, a night after the Orioles rallied from six runs down to win 9-7.</p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>The series also included a scary sight and then relieving news for the Orioles. First-year manager Craig Albernaz sustained a broken jaw and some fractured cheekbones when he was struck in the face by a foul ball Monday night, but he was back on the job Tuesday.</p> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>“I kind of have to show up every day,” he said. “… We have a game. I’m physically able to be here, so let’s go.”</p> </section><section id="section-6"> <p>There will be some adjustments away from the field for Albernaz, but he said he can handle the baseball managerial duties. He will be on a special diet and for six weeks he won’t be allowed strenuous activities, so that nixes his role of throwing pitches during batting practice.</p> </section><section id="section-7"> <p>“I think it’s more of the peace of mind, knowing I don’t need surgery and stuff,” he said. “I can see the whole eating component could be really difficult, which makes sense about the baby food diet, so soft foods for a while.”</p> </section><section id="section-8"> <p>The Diamondbacks faced their own health issue on Tuesday, pulling Ketel Marte from the lineup a night after he hit two home runs. The second baseman was dealing with back tightness, so his availability for the quick turnaround for the Wednesday afternoon game might be in question.</p> </section><section id="section-9"> <p>“We were working on him during the course of the game,” manager Torey Lovullo said after the Tuesday contest. “I got word about the fifth inning he’d be unavailable. I’ve got him in the lineup (Wednesday), so hopefully he can go out there.”</p> </section><br/><section id="section-10"> <p>The Orioles will hand the ball to right-hander Kyle Bradish (1-2, 5.27 ERA) on Wednesday. He reached the five-inning mark for the first time this year on April 8 in a road victory against the Chicago White Sox. Bradish has been dealing with control issues, as he has walked three batters in each of his three outings.</p> </section> <section id="section-11"> <p>In parts of five big-league seasons, Bradish’s only encounter with Arizona resulted in a victory during a September 2023 matchup. He allowed two runs on four this across six innings, striking out six and walking three.</p> </section><section id="section-12"> <p>Eduardo Rodriguez (1-0, 0.50 ERA) gets the call for the Diamondbacks. The left-hander hadn’t allowed an earned run until his third outing, when the New York Mets broke through for a single tally on Thursday in a game Arizona won 7-1. He went six innings in that appearance.</p> </section><section id="section-13"> <p>Rodriguez holds a 14-5 career record with 2.74 ERA in 25 games (23 starts) against the Orioles. Baltimore is the only opponent against which he owns double-digit wins in his 11-year career.</p> </section><section id="section-14"> <p>Depending upon how long Rodriguez last on Wednesday, he could have an unfamiliar reliever taking over for him.</p> </section><section id="section-15"> <p>With veteran pitcher Merrill Kelly joining the Arizona rotation this week, Brandon Pfaadt was shifted to the bullpen. Pfaadt has appeared in relief in just one of his 87 major league outings, and that was a 2023 game in which he was the bulk reliever after an opener.</p> </section><section id="section-16"> <p>Lovullo acknowledged the move will be an adjustment for Pfaadt.</p> </section><section id="section-17"> <p>“It’s just where we’re sitting right now,” Lovullo said. “I want to believe it’s going to be great, but it’s going to take some work.”</p> </section><section id="section-18"> <p>Last April, Pfaadt threw six shutout innings against the Orioles as a starter, and Arizona won the game 9-0 in Phoenix.</p> </section><section id="section-19"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section></div> #Deadspin #Craig #Albernaz #Orioles #showing #resolve #Dbacks

Next post

Deadspin | Lightning, with home ice vs. Habs assured, oppose Rangers in tune-up <div id=""><section id="0" class=" w-full"><div class="xl:container mx-0 !px-4 py-0 pb-4 !mx-0 !px-0"><img src="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28695338.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28695338.jpg" alt="NHL: Tampa Bay Lightning at Montreal Canadiens" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Apr 9, 2026; Montreal, Quebec, CAN;Tampa Bay Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov (86) plays the puck during the second period of the game against the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>When Tampa Bay hosts the New York Rangers in the regular-season finale on Wednesday, the Lightning know they won’t need to pack their bags postgame.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>Thanks to the Canadiens’ 4-2 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday, the Lightning (50-25-6, 106 points) clinched second place in the Atlantic Division, and Montreal (48-24-10, 106 points) will finish third. The Canadiens will open a first-round playoff series in Tampa this weekend.</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>While the Lightning, if they lose in regulation to the Rangers, would finish level on points with the Canadiens, Tampa Bay owns the regulation-wins tiebreaker (40-34).</p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>The Rangers (33-39-9, 75 points), who will finish a dreadful campaign last in the Eastern Conference, are 1-1-0 against the Lightning.</p> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>The previous matchups have been blowouts. New York won 7-3 at Tampa on Nov. 12, while the Lightning returned the favor in a 4-1 win on the road against the Rangers on Nov. 29.</p> </section><section id="section-6"> <p>Darker times were ahead for the Rangers after Black Friday.</p> </section><section id="section-7"> <p>Coach Mike Sullivan’s crew fell out of the wild-card race after going 10-17-5 during a three-month stretch in December, January and a truncated February due to the Winter Olympics.</p> </section><section id="section-8"> <p>On Monday, the Rangers celebrated the career of retiring goaltender Jonathan Quick, who was starting his final game. However, they lost 3-2 as the Florida Panthers played a defensive-minded game and cashed in three times in their 16 shots and beat the 2011-12 Conn Smythe Trophy winner.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-9"> <p>“I thought Quicky played well for us,” said Sullivan, whose group all wore the goalie’s No. 32 sweater in warmups. “Obviously, tonight was about a celebration for him. … He’s an inspiration to all of us, just in his example and how he carries himself. In a lot of ways, he personifies what we hope to become as a group.</p> </section> <section id="section-10"> <p>“His work ethic, his attention to detail, just incredible attitude. His professionalism is second to no one’s. … We’re all better that we’ve had the opportunity to work with him.”</p> </section><section id="section-11"> <p>The Lightning recorded a 4-3 overtime victory over the Detroit Red Wings on Monday, helping them keep pace with Montreal after they squandered a two-goal lead entering the third period.</p> </section><section id="section-12"> <p>Nikita Kucherov scored 27 seconds into overtime on his team’s first possession by finishing a give-and-go created by Brayden Point, leading to a two-on-one rush that produced the victory.</p> </section><section id="section-13"> <p>Lightning coach Jon Cooper thinks Kucherov should be awarded a second Hart Trophy after winning his first for the 2018-19 season. He leads Tampa Bay in goals (44), assists (86) and points (130).</p> </section><section id="section-14"> <p>“There are some fabulous players in this league. … He’s pretty darn important to us,” said Cooper after his team put itself in position to control its playoff destination this weekend. “Could you make a case for a bunch of guys? Yes. But I think it’s pretty evident that Kuch has made a name for himself this year, that he should be the guy.”</p> </section><section id="section-15"> <p>Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy got a toe on Alex DeBrincat’s breakaway try on the first shot in overtime, keeping the match alive and leading to Kucherov’s winner nine seconds later.</p> </section><section id="section-16"> <p>A strong Vezina Trophy candidate, Vasilevskiy leads the NHL in wins and owns a 39-15-4 record. The 2018-19 Vezina winner boasts a 2.31 goals-against average (second-best in the league) and a .912 save percentage (tied for third).</p> </section><section id="section-17"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section></div> #Deadspin #Lightning #home #ice #Habs #assured #oppose #Rangers #tuneup

#Indy #qualifying #Weather #forces #scheduling #change">Indy 500 qualifying 2026: Weather forces scheduling change  Due to persistent rain in the area on Saturday, qualifying for the 110th Indianapolis 500 has been moved to Sunday, making the event a single-day affair.Under the scheduling change, all all qualifiers will line up starting at 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Sunday, based on Friday’s qualifying draw and have one attempt to post a traditional four-lap qualifying speed. The fastest 12 qualifiers will move on, while the other 21 drivers will slot into spots 33-13 in the field for the 110th Indianapolis 500.The top 12 will head directly to a knockout round, scheduled for approximately 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time. As with previous years, the order of the Top 12 begins in reverse of qualifying speeds from the cars’ initial qualifying attempts, leading off with the 12th-fastest car all the way through the fastest car from the initial qualifying attempt. Each car will have one attempt in this knockout stage. Those finishing seventh through 12th will fill out starting positions seven through 12 according to their time and speed.The fastest six will advance to the next round of Indianapolis 500 qualifying — the Firestone Fast Six — determine positions one through six.Here is the qualifying order as set during Friday’s draw:  #Indy #qualifying #Weather #forces #scheduling #change

Pre-match chatter centred on Cristiano Ronaldo and whether the AFC Champions League Two final could finally end his wait for a major trophy with Al-Nassr. But Gamba Osaka had other ideas, beating the Saudi side 1-0 to lift the title on Saturday.

Gamba, the 2008 AFC Champions League winner, had gone into the final seeking to become the first Japanese club to win the AFC Champions League Two trophy. The Osaka side also completed Japan’s domestic treble in 2014, underlining its pedigree on big stages.

The only goal of the match came in the 29th minute after a move that began with a mistake from Ronaldo. Ryotaro Meshino was involved in the build-up before Tokuma Suzuki found Issam Jebali, who played the ball into the feet of Deniz Hummet. The forward, left unmarked inside the box, slotted home calmly to give Gamba the lead.

“I feel amazing. To bring this title for our supporters, I’m happy to score and help the team win,” Hummet told the broadcasters after the match.

ALSO READ: How Chennaiyin FC found a Chennai story in S. Prakadeswaran

Al-Nassr pushed for an equaliser, but Gamba goalkeeper Araki stood firm. Ronaldo, who was largely anonymous for most of the contest, had his only real opening towards the end of the first half, but grazed his header wide.

Sadio Mane and Joao Felix were also heavily involved as Al-Nassr tried to force its way back into the contest. Mane hit the side-netting, while Felix struck the post in the second half before seeing another effort cleared away.

Aiman Yahya also had a good chance to level when he collected the ball in the middle of the box, but he lashed his shot off target.

Gamba, however, defended with discipline and composure, surviving Al-Nassr’s late pressure to protect its one-goal lead and secure another memorable continental triumph.

Published on May 17, 2026

#AFC #ACL #Final #Gamba #Osaka #crowned #champion #Ronaldos #wait #major #trophy #AlNassr #continues">AFC ACL Two Final: Gamba Osaka crowned champion, Ronaldo’s wait for major trophy with Al-Nassr continues  Pre-match chatter centred on Cristiano Ronaldo and whether the AFC Champions League Two final could finally end his wait for a major trophy with Al-Nassr. But Gamba Osaka had other ideas, beating the Saudi side 1-0 to lift the title on Saturday.Gamba, the 2008 AFC Champions League winner, had gone into the final seeking to become the first Japanese club to win the AFC Champions League Two trophy. The Osaka side also completed Japan’s domestic treble in 2014, underlining its pedigree on big stages.The only goal of the match came in the 29th minute after a move that began with a mistake from Ronaldo. Ryotaro Meshino was involved in the build-up before Tokuma Suzuki found Issam Jebali, who played the ball into the feet of Deniz Hummet. The forward, left unmarked inside the box, slotted home calmly to give Gamba the lead.“I feel amazing. To bring this title for our supporters, I’m happy to score and help the team win,” Hummet told the broadcasters after the match.ALSO READ: How Chennaiyin FC found a Chennai story in S. PrakadeswaranAl-Nassr pushed for an equaliser, but Gamba goalkeeper Araki stood firm. Ronaldo, who was largely anonymous for most of the contest, had his only real opening towards the end of the first half, but grazed his header wide.Sadio Mane and Joao Felix were also heavily involved as Al-Nassr tried to force its way back into the contest. Mane hit the side-netting, while Felix struck the post in the second half before seeing another effort cleared away.Aiman Yahya also had a good chance to level when he collected the ball in the middle of the box, but he lashed his shot off target.Gamba, however, defended with discipline and composure, surviving Al-Nassr’s late pressure to protect its one-goal lead and secure another memorable continental triumph.Published on May 17, 2026  #AFC #ACL #Final #Gamba #Osaka #crowned #champion #Ronaldos #wait #major #trophy #AlNassr #continues

How Chennaiyin FC found a Chennai story in S. Prakadeswaran

Al-Nassr pushed for an equaliser, but Gamba goalkeeper Araki stood firm. Ronaldo, who was largely anonymous for most of the contest, had his only real opening towards the end of the first half, but grazed his header wide.

Sadio Mane and Joao Felix were also heavily involved as Al-Nassr tried to force its way back into the contest. Mane hit the side-netting, while Felix struck the post in the second half before seeing another effort cleared away.

Aiman Yahya also had a good chance to level when he collected the ball in the middle of the box, but he lashed his shot off target.

Gamba, however, defended with discipline and composure, surviving Al-Nassr’s late pressure to protect its one-goal lead and secure another memorable continental triumph.

Published on May 17, 2026

#AFC #ACL #Final #Gamba #Osaka #crowned #champion #Ronaldos #wait #major #trophy #AlNassr #continues">AFC ACL Two Final: Gamba Osaka crowned champion, Ronaldo’s wait for major trophy with Al-Nassr continues

Pre-match chatter centred on Cristiano Ronaldo and whether the AFC Champions League Two final could finally end his wait for a major trophy with Al-Nassr. But Gamba Osaka had other ideas, beating the Saudi side 1-0 to lift the title on Saturday.

Gamba, the 2008 AFC Champions League winner, had gone into the final seeking to become the first Japanese club to win the AFC Champions League Two trophy. The Osaka side also completed Japan’s domestic treble in 2014, underlining its pedigree on big stages.

The only goal of the match came in the 29th minute after a move that began with a mistake from Ronaldo. Ryotaro Meshino was involved in the build-up before Tokuma Suzuki found Issam Jebali, who played the ball into the feet of Deniz Hummet. The forward, left unmarked inside the box, slotted home calmly to give Gamba the lead.

“I feel amazing. To bring this title for our supporters, I’m happy to score and help the team win,” Hummet told the broadcasters after the match.

ALSO READ: How Chennaiyin FC found a Chennai story in S. Prakadeswaran

Al-Nassr pushed for an equaliser, but Gamba goalkeeper Araki stood firm. Ronaldo, who was largely anonymous for most of the contest, had his only real opening towards the end of the first half, but grazed his header wide.

Sadio Mane and Joao Felix were also heavily involved as Al-Nassr tried to force its way back into the contest. Mane hit the side-netting, while Felix struck the post in the second half before seeing another effort cleared away.

Aiman Yahya also had a good chance to level when he collected the ball in the middle of the box, but he lashed his shot off target.

Gamba, however, defended with discipline and composure, surviving Al-Nassr’s late pressure to protect its one-goal lead and secure another memorable continental triumph.

Published on May 17, 2026

#AFC #ACL #Final #Gamba #Osaka #crowned #champion #Ronaldos #wait #major #trophy #AlNassr #continues

Post Comment