Sports

Barcelona beat Atletico Madrid 1-0 on the night in the Copa del Rey semi-finals second leg and 5-4 on aggregate. (AP)

Barcelona advanced to the Copa del Rey final against Real Madrid after securing a 1-0 victory over Atletico Madrid at the Metropolitano stadium on Wednesday, with Ferran Torres scoring the decisive goal for a 5-4 aggregate win in the semi-final tie. The Catalans continue their impressive unbeaten run in 2025, now stretching to 21 games.
Barcelona, who have won the Copa del Rey a record 31 times, dominated the match following the entertaining 4-4 draw in the first leg.
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!
The defeat leaves Atletico Madrid with limited objectives for the remainder of the season, as they now trail Barcelona by nine points in La Liga with nine matches left.
“We can’t relax, we have to keep believing and working, with humility and I’m sure good things will come,” Torres told Movistar. “If a final is already a huge motivation, imagine playing against your most direct rival.”
Real Madrid secured their place in the final after a 5-4 aggregate victory over Real Sociedad, following a 4-4 draw at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday.
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick reinstated Raphinha to the starting lineup, with the Brazilian winger becoming a target for Atletico’s defensive tactics.
Cesar Azpilicueta received a yellow card for a challenge on Raphinha, surviving a VAR review for a potential red card, while Rodrigo de Paul was also booked for a hard tackle.
Seventeen-year-old Lamine Yamal impressed on the opposite wing, creating chances and providing the assist for Torres’s goal with a well-weighted pass.
Atletico Madrid introduced Alexander Sorloth at halftime, who had scored in the previous three meetings between the teams this season.
Sorloth missed a clear opportunity early in the second half, opting to shoot instead of passing to an unmarked Antoine Griezmann.
The Norwegian striker later had a goal disallowed for offside as Atletico increased their pressure on Barcelona’s defense.
“We played really bravely here, it was not easy, especially in the second half,” Flick told Barca One. “(The job) is not done, we’re fighting, we’re trying everything to win titles and we’re in a good way, the team is doing great.”
Barcelona managed to hold on during four minutes of stoppage time, despite Atletico goalkeeper Juan Musso joining the attack for a late free-kick.
The result eliminates Atletico’s most realistic chance of winning a trophy this season, following their Champions League exit to Real Madrid in the round of 16.
“We have to thank the fans who supported us, we’re as sad as them,” said Atletico defender Jose Gimenez. “We have to lift up our heads, finish the season in the best way possible and carry on.”
“We have to accept the reality, with rational thinking and knowing we’re a long way off (the top of La Liga), but we’ll try until the end.”

Mohammed Siraj took three wickets for Gujarat Titans against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in IPL 2025. (AP)

Mohammed Siraj delivered an emotional performance at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, claiming 3 wickets for 19 runs against his former team Royal Challengers Bengaluru while playing for Gujarat Titans. The 31-year-old pacer, who spent seven years with RCB from 2018 to 2024, earned the Player of the Match award in his first appearance at the venue wearing Titans’ blue jersey instead of RCB’s red.
Siraj’s impressive spell in the powerplay included dismissals of Devdutt Padikkal and Phil Salt, celebrating with Cristiano Ronaldo’s signature ‘siu’ celebration.
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!
During his tenure with RCB, Siraj featured in 87 matches and took 83 wickets at an average of 31.45, with his best figures being 4/21. The franchise chose not to retain him ahead of the 2025 mega auction
.
“I was a bit emotional. I was here for 7 years, changed jersey from red to blue. There was some nervousness and some emotion but the moment I got the ball in my hand, it was full-on,” Siraj said after receiving the Player of the Match award.
When asked about his celebration style, Siraj simply stated, “I am Ronaldo’s fan and hence the celebration.”
The pacer utilised his absence from the Champions Trophy squad as an opportunity to improve his game.
“I had been playing consistently, but during the break I corrected my mistakes and worked on my fitness,” he explained.
Siraj has found valuable mentorship at Gujarat Titans under Ashish Nehra and alongside experienced pacer Ishant Sharma.
“Once I was picked up by Gujarat Titans, I spoke to Ashish Bhai. He (Nehra) tells me to go enjoy your bowling and Ishu (Ishant) Bhai tells me what line and length to bowl. My mindset is to have belief and then the pitch does not matter,” Siraj shared.

KKR’s bowling coach Dwayne Bravo and captain Ajinkya Rahane (IANS Photo)

KOLKATA: In a repeat of last year’s Indian Premier League (IPL) title clash, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will lock horns with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the Eden Gardens here on Thursday. But it has been a harsh reality check for both sides after the IPL mega auction as they have failed to replicate last year’s success so far.
With two losses each in the first three games, KKR and SRH find themselves languishing at the bottom half of the points table. It’s still early days and there’s no immediate need to press the panic button, but both sides will be desperate to get their campaign back on track sooner than later.
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!
For that to happen, both teams need to get their opening acts right.
Much of KKR and SRH’s success in the last season can be attributed to their openers. The sides feature prominently among IPL’s all-time highest Powerplay scorers. While SRH occupy the top two slots, putting up 125/0 (vs DC in 2024) and 107/0 (vs LSG in 2024), KKR are third with a score of 105/0 vs RCB in 2017.

Gautam Gambhir pushing Sunil Narine up the order put the wind in KKR’s sails after they tried out as many as 14 different opening combinations across the 2022-23 seasons. After last year’s auction, though, KKR got a new opening duo, with Quinton de Kock replacing Phil Salt as Narine’s partner.
Although Narine got 44 in the first match and De Kock hit 97 in the team’s winning cause against Rajasthan Royals, KKR have failed to put their rivals under scoreboard pressure, with scores of 60/1, 40/0 and 41/4 in three games — the season’s lowest first-innings Powerplay scores.
Last year the KKR’s opening pair was so dominant and the middle-order so consistent that they didn’t have to rely on finishers in most of their matches. No wonder Knights’ rising star Rinku Singh got to play only 113 balls last season when KKR lost only thrice.
SRH began from where they left last year getting 94/1 in the Powerplay against Rajasthan Royals in their opening match at home. But since then, they have been left searching for that impactful start getting 62/2 and 58/4 in the next two games.

The Orange Army has also lost regular wickets (seven so far), much like KKR, who had lost five wickets in the first six overs, which halted their progress. Although Travis Head looked dangerous at times, youngster Abhishek Sharma is yet to fire.
With big-hitters like Ishan Kishan and Henrick Klaasen to follow, a brisk start can set the tone for SRH batters to take the game away from any opposition.
Poor bowling in Powerplay too
To make matters worse, both the sides have failed to make early inroads while bowling too. They have allowed their oppositions to get off the block fast and thus lost control of proceedings.
KKR bowlers have conceded 80, 54 and 65 runs while managing just two wickets in the first six overs, SRH bowlers too have proved expensive — giving away 77, 77 and 52 runs, claiming four wickets.
It’s time to get the right start in both the departments now.

File photo of Virat Kohli© AFP

Inter Milan and AC Milan played out a 1-1 draw at Italian Cup semi-final.© AFP

Jose Mourinho (L) found himself in a fresh controversy© X (Twitter)

Stuttgart set up a German Cup final clash with third-division Arminia Bielefeld after a 3-1 win over RB Leipzig on Wednesday. Under the watchful eyes of Jurgen Klopp, the new head of global soccer for Leipzig’s owners Red Bull, the visitors were outclassed by a strong Stuttgart side. Goals from Angelo Stiller, Nick Woltemade and Jamie Leweling took Stuttgart to victory, putting them on track for a first German Cup triumph since 1997. The victory continues Stuttgart’s rise since former Leipzig youth-team coach Sebastian Hoeness took over in April 2023.

“We’re going to Berlin,” Hoeness told Germany’s ZDF.

“Unbelievable. The lads are unbelievable… it’s incredible. It’s a dream to travel to Berlin.

“We rewarded ourselves with goals at the right moment and when we needed to we defended with passion.”

The coach ended his post-match interview early before sprinting across the field to have his picture taken with the rest of the squad in front of the club’s ecstatic home fans.

Hoeness has become one of the most sought-after coaches in Europe, having led Stuttgart from relegation candidates to runners-up last season, and now the German Cup final.

The five-time German champions and three-time cup winners will be heavy favourites in Berlin in May, against a Bielefeld side who stunned holders Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday.

Leipzig, winners of two of the past three German Cups, had a chaotic lead-up to the match.

On Sunday, the Saxons fired coach Marco Rose, who led them to the trophy two seasons ago, replacing him with interim boss Zsolt Low.

Klopp, a close friend of Rose who brought him to the club while coaching Mainz in 2002 but who signed off on Sunday’s decision, was spotted watching on from the stands on Wednesday.

Stiller put the hosts on track five minutes in, smacking home an unstoppable volley from outside the box to give Stuttgart the lead.

Leipzig were stunned but took control soon after. Visiting striker Lois Openda was kept at bay despite three clear chances between the 15 and 35-minute marks.

Woltemade doubled Stuttgart’s lead 12 minutes into the second half, sliding the ball under the goalkeeper after a clever one-two with Ermedin Demirovic.

Leipzig hit back almost immediately when Sesko hammered in with 62 minutes gone after beating the offside trap.

The visitors were in the ascendancy and an equaliser looked likely until Woltemade headed goalwards from a Stiller cross, with the ball bouncing to Leweling who tapped in from two yards out.

Three-time winners Stuttgart have not qualified for the final since 2013, when they lost to a treble-bound Bayern, and last won in 1997.

Founded in 2009 and promoted to the top flight for the first time in 2016, Leipzig had previously won four from four German Cup semi-finals.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

During the Champions Trophy 2025, a photo of Shikhar Dhawan went viral. The former India star was spotted with a ‘mystery woman’ and the internet was intrigued. Multiple media reports claimed that the woman was Sophie Shine, who is from Ireland. Now, it seems Dhawan has all but officially confirmed that he is in a relationship. In a video which has gone viral, Dhawan is asked by an anchor about his girlfriend and her name. While Dhawan initially resists the anchor’s question, he finally says: “I will not take any name. But the most beautiful girl in the room is my girlfriend.” The camera then focusses on a woman who looks the same as the person who accompanied Dhawan at the Champions Trophy. 

The following video went viral during champions Trophy.

Hahahha such a cute video #ShikharDhawan pic.twitter.com/P0PSrC9ydc

— Prernaa (@theprernaa) February 21, 2025

Recently, former India opener Shikhar Dhawan revealed how he tries to stay in touch with his 11-year-old son Zoraver in a spiritual manner, even though he does not get to see him anymore. Dhawan, 39, was granted divorce from his ex-wife Aesha Mukherji in October 2023, but lost custody of his son Zoraver. Although he was granted visitation rights and being allowed to connect via video calls, seemingly Dhawan has been blocked from seeing or speaking to Zoraver. Dhawan also spoke about how he would spend time with his son if he got to meet him.

“It has been two years since I’ve seen my son, one years since I last spoke to him. It has been difficult, but you learn to live with it. I miss him and speak to him spiritually,” Dhawan said, speaking on the ANI podcast.

“I feel through affirmations that I’m conversing with him everyday, hugging him. I put my energy into it spiritually. It is the only way I can bring back my son. My sadness won’t help. I manifest,” Dhawan revealed.

“I already feel that I’m with him, speaking to him, playing with him. When I sit for my meditation, I visualise those things,” Dhawan added.

“My son is 11 years old now, but I have seen him for only two and-a-half years of his life,” he said.

When asked what innings of his he would show to his son if he were to meet him, Dhawan spoke emotionally.

“I would first hug him. I’ll first spend time with him. Listen to what he has to say. Showing him any innings of mine is a thought that hasn’t even occurred to me. I’ll listen to him, know about him. Maybe if he tears up, I’ll cry with him. I’ll enjoy my time with him,” Dhawan said.

In a surprising development on Wednesday, multiple reports claimed Yashasvi Jaiswal has decided to make a shock switch to Goa from Mumbai due to personal reasons, leaving a domestic powerhouse that laid the foundation for the left-hander’s blossoming international career. According to news agency PTI, Jaiswal wrote to the Mumbai Cricket Association on Tuesday, expressing his wish to leave Mumbai for Goa, and the governing body swiftly accepted his request. Later in the evening on Wednesday, a report claimed that there was a ‘coup underway’ in the Mumbai team and ‘there is a possibility’ that Suryakumar Yadav may also follow his teammate. The report, however also added, sources close to the batter have denied the development.

However, Suryakumar Yadav laughed off the report. He posted the screenshot of a report, which had the caption: “In fact, rumour mills suggest, Suryakumar Yadav is actually playing the lead role in getting players to consider a move”. Surya’s comment was satirical. “Script writer hai ya journalist? Agar hasna hai toh I will stop watching comedy movies and start reading these articles. Ekdum bakwas,” he wrote on X in a post that went viral.

Meanwhile, Jaiswal is the third cricketer from Mumbai in recent times to have moved to Goa after Arjun Tendulkar and Siddhesh Lad. Lad and Tendulkar had moved to Goa ahead of the 2022-23 season.

Jaiswal last played for Mumbai against Jammu and Kashmir in their Ranji Trophy Group A league round match from January 23-25 following the strict implementation of the BCCI directives that all India players should play domestic cricket if not on national duty.

In that game, Jaiswal had made his sole appearance in the Ranji Trophy 2024-25 season along with India captain Rohit Sharma.

The two India stars flopped on their domestic return, with Jaiswal scoring 4 and 26 as Mumbai lost by five wickets to Jammu and Kashmir for the second time in the tournament’s history.

While Jaiswal rose swiftly through the ranks in Mumbai cricket to emerge as one of the brightest batters in the country and duly earned a spot in the national side, it wasn’t always a smooth ride for the youngster.

Moving from native Bhadohi in Uttar Pradesh at the age of 12 to pursue his cricketing dream, Jaiswal went through several hardships. He spent nights in a tent before he was spotted by coach Jwala Singh who took him under his wings and developed his game.

With PTI inputs

FC Bengaluru in action© X (Twitter)