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Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Cristiano Ronaldo sheds tears of joy after Portugal's Nations League triumph
MUNICH (AP) — Another trophy for Cristiano Ronaldo. More records, more adulation. The Portugal star shed tears after helping his team win the Nations League on Sunday. Ronaldo scored to help Portugal draw level with Spain 2-2 in the final, then watched as his teammates won the penalty shootout 5-3. Advertisement 'I have many titles with my clubs, but nothing is better than winning for Portugal,' Ronaldo said. 'These are tears. It's mission accomplished and so much joy.' The 40-year-old Ronaldo had been the first to run out onto the field for the pre-game warmup, sparking a huge roar from the Portugal supporters, including many wearing jerseys emblazoned with his name. His appearance prompted many supporters to pull out their cell phones to record the superstar while they could still see him in action. Ronaldo conceded Saturday that he won't be able to play forever. That was three days after he helped Portugal to its first win over Germany for 25 years, scoring the winner for a 2-1 victory in the Nations League semifinals. Advertisement On Sunday he was driving the team again, though it was initially a frustrating game as his chances were limited by Spain's hard-working defenders. Nuno Mendes fired Portugal level after Martin Zubimendi opened the scoring for Spain. Then Mikel Oyarzabal put Spain ahead 2-1 at the break. But Ronaldo was in the right place at the right time to fire home the equalizer from Mendes' deflected cross in the 61st, setting off joyous scenes among his faithful fans. It was Ronaldo's 138th goal for Portugal. Nobody has ever scored more for their country. Ronaldo kept trying in what was his record-extending 221st appearance for the country, but eventually had to go off exhausted in the 88th to standing ovations from fans and a hug from coach Roberto Martínez. Advertisement Ronaldo said he was carrying an injury into the game. 'I had already felt it during the warmup, I had been feeling it for some time, but for the national team, if I had to break my leg, I would have broken it,' Ronaldo said. 'It's for a trophy, I had to play and I gave it my all.' Ronaldo's future is uncertain as his contract with Saudi club Al-Nassr only runs to the end of June. He posted 'this chapter is over' on social media after the club's last Saudi Pro League game of the season. On Saturday he said he had all but decided not to go to the Club World Cup despite 'quite a few' offers from participating clubs to play there. Advertisement Whatever club Ronaldo plays for, he will keep striving for Portugal. 'I have lived in many countries, I have played for many clubs, but when it's about Portugal, it is always a special feeling,' he said. ___ AP Sports Writer Tales Azzoni contributed to this report. ___ AP soccer: Ciarán Fahey, The Associated Press
Toronto Star
2 days ago
- Sport
- Toronto Star
Alcaraz wins longest French Open final in five sets after saving 3 match points against Sinner
PARIS (AP) — Carlos Alcaraz rallied from two sets down and saved three match points to beat Jannik Sinner 4-6, 6-7 (4), 6-4, 7-6 (3), 7-6 (10-2) on Sunday and win the French Open title for a second straight year. Alcaraz, who won his fifth Grand Slam tournament in as many finals, produced one of the greatest comebacks in the history of the clay-court tournament. It was even better than his performance here last year, when he came back from 2-1 down in sets in the final against Alexander Zverev. But this time Alcaraz emulated Novak Djokovic's feat from the 2021 final at Roland-Garros, when the now 24-time major winner fought back from two sets down to beat Stefanos Tsitsipas. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW 'I'm just proud. I'm just really, really happy,' Alcaraz said before praising Sinner. 'I know how hard you are chasing this tournament. You're going to be champion, not once, but many, many times. It's a privilege to share the court with you in every tournament, making this story with you.' It was the first time that Sinner had lost a Grand Slam final, but the fifth time in succession he has now lost to Alcaraz, who clinched the 20th title of his career at the age of 22. It was also the longest-ever French Open final — 5 hours, 29 minutes — in the Open Era. After 3 hours, 43 minutes, Sinner had his first match point. But with just over five hours since the match began, Alcaraz served for the title at 5-4 up. The drama was still not over. Sinner made a remarkable retrieve from yet another superb Alcaraz drop shot. At the very limit he could stretch to, Sinner glided the ball over the net, with the ball landing with the softness of an autumn leaf and out of Alcaraz's reach to make it 15-40. When Sinner won the game to make it 5-5, it was his turn to milk the applause and he was two points away from victory in the 12th game, with Alcaraz on serve and at 15-30 and at deuce. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW But Alcaraz made a staggering cross-court backhand to make it 6-6 and force a tiebreaker, with the crowd going wild when Alcaraz's cross-court winner made it 4-0. Sinner could not find a way back and Alcaraz won the match with a superb forehand pass down the line and then fell onto his back to celebrate. Then he rushed over to dance and hug the team members in his box. 'I'm very happy for you, and you deserve it, so congrats,' the 23-year-old Sinner told Alcaraz. 'It's an amazing trophy, so I won't sleep tonight very well, but it's okay.' —- AP Sports Writer Samuel Petrequin contributed. ___ AP tennis: Read more on the French Open at
Winnipeg Free Press
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Italian boxing champion Nino Benvenuti, who took gold at Rome Olympics, dies at age 87
ROME (AP) — Nino Benvenuti, an Italian former boxer who won gold at his home Olympics in 1960 before earning world championship titles in two weight classes as a pro, has died at age 87. The Italian National Olympic Committee, CONI, said Benvenuti died Tuesday. It did not disclose the cause of death. CONI called Benvenuti one of the best boxers in the country's history 'and certainly one of the most beloved athletes.' The elegant boxer won the Olympic welterweight title in Rome in 1960, the same Games where Cassius Clay — who would later become Muhammad Ali — took the heavyweight gold medal. Benvenuti beat out Clay for the Val Barker trophy as the games' best boxer. 'I only realized the importance of that award in the years that followed the games, when Muhammad Ali really became Muhammad Ali and the best boxer in the world,' Benvenuti later said. Benvenuti finished his amateur career with just one loss in 120 matches, according to the International Olympic Committee. After turning pro in 1961, he became the world light middleweight and middleweight champion (twice). But he said those titles pale in comparison to his gold medal. 'When you win the Olympics you're an Olympic champion for the rest of your life,' Benvenuti said. ___ AP Sports:
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Italian boxing champion Nino Benvenuti, who took gold at Rome Olympics, dies at age 87
ROME (AP) — Nino Benvenuti, an Italian former boxer who won gold at his home Olympics in 1960 before earning world championship titles in two weight classes as a pro, has died at age 87. The Italian National Olympic Committee, CONI, said Benvenuti died Tuesday. It did not disclose the cause of death. Advertisement CONI called Benvenuti one of the best boxers in the country's history 'and certainly one of the most beloved athletes.' The elegant boxer won the Olympic welterweight title in Rome in 1960, the same Games where Cassius Clay — who would later become Muhammad Ali — took the heavyweight gold medal. Benvenuti beat out Clay for the Val Barker trophy as the games' best boxer. 'I only realized the importance of that award in the years that followed the games, when Muhammad Ali really became Muhammad Ali and the best boxer in the world,' Benvenuti later said. Benvenuti finished his amateur career with just one loss in 120 matches, according to the International Olympic Committee. After turning pro in 1961, he became the world light middleweight and middleweight champion (twice). But he said those titles pale in comparison to his gold medal. 'When you win the Olympics you're an Olympic champion for the rest of your life,' Benvenuti said. ___ AP Sports:
Hamilton Spectator
27-04-2025
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
Assefa sets women's only record to win London Marathon women's race after late breakaway
LONDON (AP) — Tigst Assefa of Ethiopia took advantage of the warm weather to pull away late for her first London Marathon title on Sunday, setting a record time for a women's-only race in the process. Assefa made up for second-place finishes in London and the Paris Olympics last year by pulling away from Joyciline Jepkosgei near the end to finish in 2 hours, 15 minutes and 50 seconds. It was the fastest ever time in a women's-only marathon — but 25 seconds slower than the course record set by Paula Radcliffe in 2003 when it was a mixed race. Peres Jepchirchir had set the previous women's only record of 2:16:16 when she won in London last year ahead of Assefa. Ruth Chepngetich of Kenya set the overall women's world record of 2:09:56 at last year's Chicago Marathon. The weather in London was a lot warmer this year than in 2024 — with temperaturse nearing 18 C (64F) by the time the elite runners were finishing — which Assefa said was to her advantage. 'Last year I did have some problems with the cold, my hamstring tightened up toward the end of the race,' Assefa said through an interpreter. 'This year the weather suited me really well.' Assefa adds this win to two previous Berlin Marathon titles. She was beaten in a sprint at the Paris Olympics by Sifan Hassan last year. This time she made sure there would be no sprint finish as she left Jepkosgei behind with a few kilometers left and ran alone along the Thames and through central London to the finish in front of Buckingham Palace. Jepkosgei, the 2021 London winner, was almost three minutes back after tiring near the end. 'It was a little bit humid,' Jepkosgei said. 'My body was not responding well. And I said, let's preserve my energy to arrive safely at the finish line.' Hassan fell behind about halway through the race and finished third, 3:10 behind. Sabastian Sawe of Kenya won the men's race for his biggest career victory after making a solo breakaway with about 10 kilometers left. ___ AP Sports:
