Messi's goal streak ends as Cincinnati defeats Miami 3-0
The Argentine superstar, who had netted braces in five consecutive games, was kept quiet by Cincinnati's disciplined defense.
The 38-year-old forward had previously scored two goals in each of his last five appearances, bringing his season tally to 16. His last such streak dated back to 2012 during his time with Barcelona.
However, Miami struggled offensively, managing only two shots on target throughout the match.
Cincinnati took control early, with 20-year-old American midfielder Gerardo Valenzuela opening the scoring in the 16th minute.
Brazilian forward Evander doubled the lead in the 50th minute before sealing the victory with another strike in the 70th.
The loss leaves Miami fifth in the Eastern Conference with 38 points from 11 wins, four losses, and five draws.
They trail league leaders Philadelphia by eight points, though they have three games in hand.
To overtake their rivals, Miami must win all remaining matches. - AFP
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
5 hours ago
- The Star
Boxing-Pacquiao latest boxer to risk legacy for lure of the ring
FILE PHOTO: Presidential candidate and former boxing champion Manny Pacquiao poses for a photograph during an interview with Reuters at his campaign headquarters in Makati City, Philippines, April 7, 2022. Picture taken April 7, 2022. REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez/File Photo (Reuters) -Manny Pacquiao's return to the ring at the weekend after a four-year hiatus marked the latest example of a boxer well past his prime who could not resist the temptation of the squared circle and a chance to add to his competitive legacy. The 46-year-old Filipino came out of retirement on Saturday to fight Mario Barrios in Las Vegas but fell short of breaking his own record as the oldest-ever welterweight champion as the American boxer escaped with a majority draw. Fights involving boxers like Pacquiao, who is one of the sport's all-time greats, used to dominate headlines and attract a who's-who of celebrities ringside but there was considerably less buzz around his latest foray into the ring. "He's a tremendously meaningful fighter, but is this a meaningful fight? Not really," International Boxing Hall of Fame broadcaster Jim Lampley told Reuters ahead of the fight. "He's 46 years old. He's been away from the ring for four years. Do I need to say more?" Despite returning to the ring at an advanced age against a boxer 16 years younger than him, Pacquiao put up a valiant effort and even looked to have had the upper hand until late in the bout when Barrios turned up the aggression. Pacquiao, a Filipino senator from 2016 to 2022 and who last month was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame, not only silenced some of his critics with his performance but also made clear his comeback is not over. "Don't worry, the PacMan is back, and the journey will continue," Pacquiao told reporters after the fight. Pacquiao is hardly the first middle-aged boxer who returned to the ring hoping to roll back the years. Last November, former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson came out of retirement at 58 to face Jake Paul in a fight that did not match the hype. Lampley said it's not surprising to see fighters miss the thrill of the spotlight, even if they are far from their peak, and recounted a time he once asked Sugar Ray Leonard, who made two ill-fated comebacks, why it was so hard to stay away. "He said 'I have surveyed every thrill a man of my level of privilege can experience. Nothing matches the thrill of stepping out of that corner ... another man facing me from 15 feet away, and trying to prove I am more man than him'," Lampley said. "He knew why he couldn't quit. He could not give up the thrill of that identity and that experience. It is absolutely an addiction." HEALTH CONCERNS Like any sport, competing at the highest level presents many challenges as an athlete ages. But in a sport like boxing, which involves repeated blows to the head, it also comes with specific health concerns. Robert Cantu, medical director of the Concussion Legacy Foundation, said the cumulative effect of repeated blows over a career can take a toll and one should be wary of subjecting an aging brain to more injury. "The reason we don't (want people boxing in their 40s) is that the brain is already starting to lose neural cells after the age of 20, and by the age of 40 you've lost a fair number," said Cantu. "And if you keep losing more than you would have otherwise lost because you are having your head rattled around taking blows you are increasing your risk for dementia." For some aging boxers who still possess name recognition and the ability to land lucrative paydays, that risk appears worth it for them to step back into the ring though one is left to wonder if their fights are doing the sport more harm than good. (Reporting by Frank Pingue in TorontoEditing by Toby Davis)
The Star
6 hours ago
- The Star
A legend returns - Pacquiao is latest boxer to risk legacy for lure of the ring
Jul 19, 2025; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Manny Pacquiao fights Mario Barrios at MGM Grand Garden Arena. -- Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images MANILA (Reuters): Manny Pacquiao's return to the ring at the weekend after a four-year hiatus marked the latest example of a boxer well past his prime who could not resist the temptation of the squared circle and a chance to add to his competitive legacy. The 46-year-old Filipino came out of retirement on Saturday to fight Mario Barrios in Las Vegas but fell short of breaking his own record as the oldest-ever welterweight champion as the American boxer escaped with a majority draw. Fights involving boxers like Pacquiao, who is one of the sport's all-time greats, used to dominate headlines and attract a who's-who of celebrities ringside but there was considerably less buzz around his latest foray into the ring. "He's a tremendously meaningful fighter, but is this a meaningful fight? Not really," International Boxing Hall of Fame broadcaster Jim Lampley told Reuters ahead of the fight. "He's 46 years old. He's been away from the ring for four years. Do I need to say more?" Despite returning to the ring at an advanced age against a boxer 16 years younger than him, Pacquiao put up a valiant effort and even looked to have had the upper hand until late in the bout when Barrios turned up the aggression. Pacquiao, a Filipino senator from 2016 to 2022 and who last month was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame, not only silenced some of his critics with his performance but also made clear his comeback is not over. "Don't worry, the PacMan is back, and the journey will continue," Pacquiao told reporters after the fight. Pacquiao is hardly the first middle-aged boxer who returned to the ring hoping to roll back the years. Last November, former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson came out of retirement at 58 to face Jake Paul in a fight that did not match the hype. Lampley said it's not surprising to see fighters miss the thrill of the spotlight, even if they are far from their peak, and recounted a time he once asked Sugar Ray Leonard, who made two ill-fated comebacks, why it was so hard to stay away. "He said 'I have surveyed every thrill a man of my level of privilege can experience. Nothing matches the thrill of stepping out of that corner ... another man facing me from 15 feet away, and trying to prove I am more man than him'," Lampley said. "He knew why he couldn't quit. He could not give up the thrill of that identity and that experience. It is absolutely an addiction." HEALTH CONCERNS Like any sport, competing at the highest level presents many challenges as an athlete ages. But in a sport like boxing, which involves repeated blows to the head, it also comes with specific health concerns. Robert Cantu, medical director of the Concussion Legacy Foundation, said the cumulative effect of repeated blows over a career can take a toll and one should be wary of subjecting an aging brain to more injury. "The reason we don't (want people boxing in their 40s) is that the brain is already starting to lose neural cells after the age of 20, and by the age of 40 you've lost a fair number," said Cantu. "And if you keep losing more than you would have otherwise lost because you are having your head rattled around taking blows you are increasing your risk for dementia." For some aging boxers who still possess name recognition and the ability to land lucrative paydays, that risk appears worth it for them to step back into the ring though one is left to wonder if their fights are doing the sport more harm than good. (Reporting by Frank Pingue in Toronto Editing by Toby Davis) - Reuters
Barnama
8 hours ago
- Barnama
WUG 2025: Swimmer Andrew Goh Through To Semis
ESSEN (Germany), July 21 (Bernama) -- National swimmer Andrew Goh Zheng Yen has a chance to advance to the final of the men's 50-metre (m) breaststroke event at the 2025 Rhine-Ruhr World University Games (WUG) today. Andrew completed the fifth heat in third place by clocking 27.85 seconds (s) to finish behind Czech Republic's Vojtech Janecek (27.73s) and American Nathaniel James Germonpres (27.51s). The 21-year-old Andrew's time placed him 11th among the 16 semi-finalists tonight (early Tuesday morning Malaysian time).
