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Ireland defeats Israel in controversial UEFA Nations League match | Football News

Ireland’s players wore black armbands in support of Palestinians, bowed their heads during the Israeli anthem, and refused pre-match handshakes.

The Republic of Ireland has won the first of two football matches against Israel at the UEFA Nations League, defeating the Israeli team 3-0 after calls to boycott the match drew international attention.

Ireland’s players wore black armbands at the game in Hungary on Sunday in support of Palestinians killed during Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza. Irish players also bowed their heads during Israel’s national anthem and did not shake the hands of the Israeli team. Ireland’s captain, Dara O’Shea, has also pledged to donate all of his earnings from the match to aid Gaza.

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On Saturday, Football Association of Ireland (FAI) chief executive David Courell said the players would wear black armbands “in recognition of all lives lost in the conflict” as he confirmed that the match would take place after hours of talks and a vote among the team. Israel was informed in advance by the FAI that Ireland’s players would not shake hands, and UEFA accepted the arrangement.

After the FAI confirmed that it would participate in the match, the Republic of Ireland’s first-choice goalkeeper, Gavin Bazunu, became the only player to publicly opt out of the fixture.

Bazunu posted a statement on social media on Saturday, saying he felt “it would be wrong to participate in the upcoming fixtures against Israel”.

He withdrew from both legs of the fixture, including the next match set to take place on October 4 in Backa Topola, Serbia.

DUBLIN, IRELAND - MAY 28: Fans protest an upcoming match between Republic of Ireland and Israel during the international friendly match between Republic of Ireland and Qatar at Aviva Stadium on May 28, 2026 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)
Fans protest an upcoming match between the Republic of Ireland and Israel during the international friendly match between the Republic of Ireland and Qatar on May 28, 2026, at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland [File: Charles McQuillan/Getty Images]

The match on Sunday proceeded despite months-long pressure on the FAI to boycott the match due to Israel’s genocide in Gaza.

Since May, leading Irish footballers have joined a campaign run by Irish Sport for Palestine, urging Ireland to boycott the match against Israel. More than 160 Irish athletes signed an open letter urging the FAI to reconsider its decision to proceed with the games.

The campaign says Israel has breached UEFA and FIFA statutes by allowing teams to play on occupied Palestinian land and should be stripped of its membership at both football bodies.

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UCI Road World Championships: Brandon McNulty becomes first American winner in 33 years

Brandon McNulty became the first American winner of the men’s road race world title in 33 years with a stunning victory in Montreal.

The 28-year-old put his hands on his head in disbelief as he crossed the line 13 seconds clear of the chasing pack, completing the gruelling 273.4km course in six hours and 17 minutes.

Australian Michael Matthews was second, with former winner Mathieu van der Poel, of the Netherlands, in third.

The last American winner of the race was Lance Armstrong in 1993.

“Until the last 800m I didn’t believe, I was so tired,” said McNulty.

“I’m at a loss for words. I knew something could happen but it would take a miracle and I guess today a miracle happened”.

He launched an attack going into the final 30km and was 50 seconds clear going into the last lap.

McNulty visibly began to tire on the final climb and his lead was cut to just 10 seconds, but the chasing pack were unable to reel him in.

Britain’s Tom Pidcock finished seventh, with Ireland’s Ben Healy 10th and Remco Evenepoel of Belgium in 12th place.

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Chelsea: Resilience is back so can Blues regain the WSL title this season?

It is a result that could be the catalyst Chelsea needed to push on and put pressure on Manchester City, who face Arsenal next in the WSL (Sunday, 16:30 BST).

Chelsea’s match-winner Alyssa Thompson said their victory over the Gunners was “amazing for team morale”.

Even Bompastor admitted Chelsea are “a different team from last season” and there are tangible examples of their improvements.

England midfielder Keira Walsh was a standout performer against Arsenal and it was her strike which was parried into the path of Thompson for the only goal.

Her new parternship with 20-year-old Lexi Potter is flourishing and has allowed Walsh to get further up the pitch and play with more freedom.

Bompastor said the 29-year-old was “a boss on the pitch” when she reaches those levels and it helps the team have “better foundations”.

Goalscorer Thompson has consistently delivered up front, while the arrival of summer signing Melvine Malard from Manchester United has given them an outlet.

The French striker missed their opening two matches with a minor injury but scored on her debut against Birmingham City and caused havoc against Arsenal.

“She’s massive for us. She puts in work off the ball and sets off the press,” said team-mate Walsh.

“Her awareness of people around her and her ability… She’s an incredible striker and she will be very good for us.”

That press, led by Malard, has moved higher up and teams have struggled to break through, while full-back Ellie Carpenter continues to overlap dangerously.

Katie McCabe, who switched from Arsenal to Chelsea this summer, has brought leadership and bite – an aggression that was lacking at times last season.

Most of all, the Blues look like a team who believe they should be champions and are willing to work for it.

It was in contrast to toothless Arsenal, who have one victory in their first four WSL games and scored just twice.

“We’ve got both sides to our game and we showed that tonight in spells. Everyone was fighting for each other. Every first and second ball was ours,” added Walsh.

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No handshakes between Republic of Ireland and Israel players before Nations League game

The Republic of Ireland and Israel players did not shake hands with each other before Sunday’s controversial Uefa Nations League game in Hungary.

After walking on to the pitch at Nagyerdei Stadion, the Republic of Ireland squad stood for their national anthem and appeared to bow their heads before Israel’s anthem.

Following the anthems, the two teams did not line up for the traditional handshakes.

There was also no exchange of pennants between Republic of Ireland captain Dara O’Shea and Israel skipper Manor Solomon, who did not shake hands.

The fixtures have been embroiled in controversy since February when the two teams were drawn to play each other in Group B3.

The Republic of Ireland players have faced calls to withdraw from the games because of the ongoing Israel-Gaza war with a “Stop The Game” campaign – organised by the pressure group Irish Sport for Palestine – gathering pace.

However, the players voted to fulfil the fixture during a lengthy meeting at the team’s hotel in Debrecen on Saturday.

Later on Saturday, goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu confirmed he had withdrawn from the squad, saying he felt it “would be wrong to participate” in Sunday’s game and the return fixture in Serbia on 4 October.

The Irish players wore black armbands, which Football Association of Ireland chief executive David Courell said on Saturday was a gesture “in recognition of all lives lost in the [Gaza] conflict”.

More to follow.

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Matt Fitzpatrick wins French Open for fourth title of season

French Open – final round

-20 M Fitzpatrick (Eng); -17 A Hidalgo (Esp); -15 M Pavon (Fra), T Vaillant (Fra), K Reitan (Nor), E Lopez-Chacarra

Selected others: -12 L Aaberg (Swe); -10 E Ferguson (Sco), D Bradbury (Eng); -7 E Molinari (Ita), V Hovland (Nor)

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England’s Matt Fitzpatrick secured his fourth title of the season with a three-shot win at the French Open in Paris.

Fitzpatrick carded a one-under-par 70 to hold off the challenge of Spain’s Angel Hidalgo at Le Golf National.

The 32-year-old has already won the Valspar Championship and RBC Heritage titles on the PGA Tour this year, as well as the Zurich Classic team event in New Orleans alongside younger brother Alex.

He led by five shots going into the final day, but a run of 12 successive pars allowed the chasing pack to cut that advantage to two.

However, crucial birdies on the 13th and 15th pushed Fitzpatrick further clear and even a bogey at the last could not deny him an 11th European Tour title.

“Delighted to get it over the line, it was definitely a battle today,” he said.

“I didn’t have my best stuff for the first 12 holes and then managed to find some of my best stuff.

“In a way I was quite lucky – I left myself in some nice spots where you can still get up and down from, but I fully took advantage of that and did really well.”

Matthieu Pavon shot the best round of the day, with a seven-under 64 ensuring he finished tied for fourth alongside French compatriot Tom Vaillant, Spain’s Eugenio Lopez-Chacarra and Norway’s Kristoffer Reitan.

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Drew Doughty and L.A. Kings aim for playoff success in new era

The Peter Laviolette Era begins for the Kings on Wednesday when the coach steps behind the bench for the first time before their season opener against the Colorado Avalanche in Denver.

And that won’t be the only difference from last season because Laviolette, the winningest American-born coach in NHL history, has inherited an aging team in transition, one he and his new staff have immediately tried to put their stamp on.

“The coaching changes brought a lot of excitement,” goaltender Darcy Kuemper said. “It’s new drills, new systems, so it kind of makes everyone turn on their brain and challenge themselves, which is fun for guys at this level.”

Not all of the changes are positive, however.

Kings coach Peter Laviolette stands in the team's locker room at their practice facility in El Segundo in June.

Kings coach Peter Laviolette stands in the team’s locker room at their practice facility in El Segundo in June.

(Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times)

For the first time in 20 years, the Kings are starting a season without Anze Kopitar, the franchise leader in games, assists and points and a two-time Stanley Cup champion. That has left a big hole on the ice and in the locker room, where Kopitar’s leadership was invaluable.

Also gone are wingers Andrei Kuzmenko and Jeff Malott, who left as free agents, and center Trevor Lewis, who retired. High-scoring winger Kevin Fiala, meanwhile, will miss the first couple of months, at least, after experiencing a setback in his return from a gruesome leg injury sustained at the Milan-Cortina Olympics.

That could hurt Laviolette’s effort to transform the Kings from the defense-first system they’ve been for years into a quicker, more aggressive offensive-style team. The Kings, whose scoring has declined in each of the last four seasons, had just 225 goals in 2025-26, fourth-fewest in the NHL, while the power play converted fewer than 18% of its chances, fifth-lowest in the league.

Two of the key pieces in turning that around will be forwards Adrian Kempe, who led the team in scoring the last three seasons, and Artemi Panarin, who had his best offensive season under Laviolette with the New York Rangers, scoring 49 goals and 120 points in 2023-24. The Kings are also counting on young forwards Quinton Byfield and Alex Laferriere, both 24, to take the next step in their development.

For Laferriere, change has been the main constant in his time in Los Angeles.

Kings right wing Alex Laferriere shoots in front of Philadelphia right wing Travis Konecny on March 19.

Kings right wing Alex Laferriere shoots in front of Philadelphia right wing Travis Konecny on March 19.

(Jessie Alcheh / Associated Press)

“This is going to be my fourth year with my fourth different coach,” said Laferriere, who had career highs in goals (21), points (44) and average TOI (18:18) last season. “It kind of reminds me a little bit of my rookie year. It kind of gives me that fresh slate, just trying to prove myself and try to gain the coach’s belief.”

In the dressing room, the Kings have given Kopitar’s crown to defenseman Drew Doughty, who will take over as captain in his 19th NHL season. At 36, he’s the third-oldest player on one of the NHL’s oldest teams and the last holdover from the 2014 Stanley Cup team.

“I’m not changing anything about myself when it comes to leadership,” he said. “I’ve been a leader on this team for a long, long time and been the loudest voice in the locker room and the guy that people come up to.

“One thing I will change: I always had Kopi as kind of the even-keel guy, where my emotions kind of go up and down. I’m going to be more aware of that and try to keep more of an even-keel.”

Whether a new coach, a new system and a new leader will be enough to get the Kings to the playoffs for a sixth straight season remains to be seen.

Laviolette, a Stanley Cup winner with Carolina two decades ago, has missed the postseason just three times when he’s been behind the bench the whole season. But the makeover he faces with the Kings is shaping up as one of the most challenging of his career, and most of the preseason prognostications have the Kings failing to make the cut.

If Fiala comes back early and healthy and if the team adapts quickly to the change in style, those predictions may prove overly dire. If not, the transition to the Laviolette Era could be more difficult than expected.

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Manchester City charges: What punishment could club face after Premier League verdict and will they appeal?

Premier League clubs are seeking legal advice about compensation from Manchester City over the case.

One source, who held a senior executive position at two Premier League sides, said they expected clubs to submit individual compensation claims against Manchester City.

Another leading lawyer told the BBC that process could even be centralised by the league.

Premier League rules allow clubs to seek legal action against each other for compensation.

In June, Everton were told they must pay Burnley £35m after they broke PSR over a three-year period.

Burnley argued the breach impacted their chances of staying in the Premier League, and sought compensation for the losses associated with being relegated.

Everton are appealing, with sources previously saying they would “robustly and thoroughly” contest the ruling, but it provides an interesting backdrop to the Manchester City case.

There is uncertainty over a statute of limitations, which would set a cut-off point for claims.

Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur reportedly preserved their rights to claim compensation two years ago.

This is not just about Manchester United (twice) and Liverpool, who finished as runners-up to City in their title-winning seasons.

It is about those clubs who just missed out on the Champions League, or failed to make Europe, or even those who were relegated.

And it could even result in claims over the prize money for each Premier League place, or the potential commercial earnings lost by rival clubs.

Kieran Maguire, professor of football finance at the University of Liverpool, told BBC Sport it would be considered a “denial of an opportunity” by complainants.

Maguire explained that the “statute of limitations is not referenced” in the Premier League’s traditional handbook, though that could be subject to a legal challenge from City.

But what of the compensation? Just looking at Champions League qualifying could bring huge financial claims.

“The Champions League in those days was worth a minimum of £30m,” Maguire said. “I think by the time we got to 2018, it was probably worth £60m or £70m, and that’s in prize money.

“On top of that, you could claim for loss of gate receipts, loss of sponsor bonuses. This is highly unlikely, but it’s certainly being discussed.

“Players get bonuses for qualifying for the Champions League. Those bonuses, if you talk to people connected to the elite clubs, are normally in the region of 25%.

“An average salary in those days would probably, if you go back to 2012, be in the region of £80,000 or £90,000 a week. Twenty-five percent of that is four or five million pounds a year. That’s how the issues stack up.”

Points deductions, fines, and compensation claims.

This is an extremely messy situation for the Premier League, and it does not look like being resolved anytime soon.

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Netball World Cup: Scotland & Northern Ireland qualify for 2027 event

Scotland and Northern Ireland secured qualification for the Netball World Cup after a three-day event in East Kilbride.

The top two sides from the four-team tournament won their spots in the finals, which take place in Sydney, Australia, with Wales and Republic of Ireland failing to qualify.

Northern Ireland’s emphatic 73-50 win in the early match on Sunday meant they would qualify should Scotland win or draw, while Wales’ only path to qualification was through a victory over Scotland.

Heading into the final match of the tournament between the Scots and Welsh, the event hosts had their spot in the finals secured unless Wales won with an overwhelming points haul and Scotland ran out 55-48 victors.

The World Cup runs from 25 August-5 September 2027.

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Leo Carlsson, Anaheim Ducks aim to improve on breakout season

Joel Quenneville had one mission when he took over as coach of the Ducks last year: get them back to the playoffs.

He did much better than that. The Ducks scored a franchise-record 273 goals, spent much of the season atop the Pacific Division and knocked off the powerful Edmonton Oilers in the first round of the playoffs before falling to the Vegas Golden Knights, the eventual conference champions, in the second round.

All of which raises a question for Quenneville and the Ducks coming off a summer of upheaval and turnover: What can they do for an encore?

“Expectations are going to be higher across the board,” said Quenneville, whose team opens the season Friday in Las Vegas against the Golden Knights. “That’s healthy. But at the same time, it’s an everyday thing that that challenge is going to be out there.”

Before Quenneville arrived, the Ducks stumbled through a franchise-record seven straight losing seasons. Now many of the players in his locker room are thinking beyond just making the postseason.

“The culture change, we can really feel it,” goaltender Lukas Dostal said. “What we did last year, obviously we want to improve and move even further.

“You don’t play hockey to just think like ‘OK, we want to make the playoffs.’ You want to go as far as possible. So the sky’s the limit. I really trust this team.”

“At the end of the day, you want to win a Stanley Cup,” added new captain Mikael Granlund. “You have to have that one goal. We’re going to do everything we can to be better than last year.”

Many Ducks are certainly going to be better paid than last year. General manager Pat Verbeek had no choice but to overspend on center Leo Carlsson, signing him to a five-year, $90-million contract after the Flyers offered Carlsson the same deal. The 21-year-old, who had a career-high 29 goals and 38 assists last season, is the NHL’s highest-paid player this season.

Verbeek also re-signed restricted free agents Cutter Gauthier, (six years, $81 million) and Pavel Mintyukov (five years, $36 million) and gave center Tim Washe a $9-million contract extension. Gauthier led the team with 41 goals and 69 points last season.

“It’s a sign you’re doing something correctly,” Quenneville said of his players being rewarded. “But at the same time, I don’t think we change too much our demands. They know we work on a meritocracy and the better you do, the more you’re going to play.”

Ducks defenseman Pavel Mintyukov passes against the Utah Mammoth on March 20.

Ducks defenseman Pavel Mintyukov passes against the Utah Mammoth on March 20.

(Melissa Majchrzak / Associated Press)

All that spending left the team with nothing to offer veteran winger Chris Kreider, who was released this summer, joining an exodus that included key defensemen John Carlson, Radko Gudas, Olen Zellweger and Jacob Trouba.

The Ducks will also be without forward Troy Terry, who averaged 24 goals over the past five seasons, until well into the winter as he recovers from hip surgery.

As a result, the Ducks start with several new pieces up front and thin experience on the blue line, which isn’t a good look for a team that gave up 288 goals last season, fourth-most in the NHL.

Despite the additions of veterans A.J. Greer, a Stanley Cup winner in Florida who was acquired to add a physical presence in the attack, and Nick Jensen, 36, who was signed to stabilize the defense, the Ducks will once again have one of the youngest rosters in the NHL. But Quenneville has a history of turning young teams into champions. Nineteen years ago he took over a Chicago Blackhawks team that was the youngest in the league and led it to the conference final. A year later that team captured the Stanley Cup, the first of three Quenneville won in Chicago.

For the Ducks to match that, their summer additions will have to add up to more than the subtractions. And the investment Verbeek made in Carlsson, Gauthier and Mintyukov will have to pay off. What’s certain, however, is after last season’s breakthrough, the Ducks won’t be sneaking up on anyone.

“We made it a little harder for ourselves,” Washe said. “We’ve got a little target on our back.”

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High school football: Week 6 schedule

(Games at 7 p.m. unless noted)

THURSDAY’S SCHEDULE

CITY SECTION

Valley Mission League

Canoga Park at Reseda

SOUTHERN SECTION

Big West League

Corona Centennial at Vista Murrieta

Great Oak at Eastvale Roosevelt

Murrieta Valley at Chaparral

Temecula Valley at Corona Santiago

Cottonwood League

Vasquez at Webb

Delta League

Dana Hills at Western

Laguna Beach at Troy

Foothill League

Hart vs. Golden Valley at Canyon Country Canyon

Foxtrot League

El Toro at Beckman

Golden League

Littlerock at Lancaster

Inland Valley League

Arlington at Citrus Hill

Kappa League

St. Margaret’s at Anaheim Canyon

Lambda League

Santa Ana Calvary Chapel at Woodbridge

Westminster at Placentia Valencia

Miramonte League

Bassett at Garey

Workman at Pomona

Mojave River League

Serrano at Oak Hills

Mountain Pass League

San Jacinto at Temescal Canyon

Mountain Valley League

Rubidoux at San Bernardino

Omicron League

Estancia at Buena Park

Pioneer League

West Torrance at North Torrance

River Valley League

Miller at Ramona

Sierra League

Colony at Bonita

Glendora at Northview

Charter Oak at Ayala

South Valley League

San Jacinto Valley Academy at Temecula Prep

Skyline League

Bloomington at Carter

Fontana at Arroyo Valley

Indian Springs at San Gorgonio

Tango League

Loara at Century

Magnolia at Bolsa Grande

Santa Ana Valley at Savanna, 6:30 p.m.

Westminster La Quinta at Garden Grove Santiago

Nonleague

Maranatha at Santa Rosa Academy

South El Monte at El Rancho

Whittier at Lynwood

INTERSECTIONAL

King/Drew at Santa Fe Christian, 4 p.m.

8-MAN

CITY SECTION

Valley League

East Valley at South LA College Prep

SOUTHERN SECTION

Noneague

Desert at Milken

FRIDAY’S SCHEDULE

CITY SECTION

Central League

Bernstein at Contreras

Hollywood at Roybal

Coliseum League

Dorsey at Washington Prep

Marquez at Crenshaw

Eastern League

Bell at Garfield

Legacy at Los Angeles Roosevelt

South East at Huntington Park

East Valley League

Fulton at Grant

North Hollywood at Arleta, 3:30 p.m.

Monroe at Verdugo Hills

Exposition League

Santee at Manual Arts

Marine League

Gardena at Carson

San Pedro at Wilmington Banning

Metro league

Locke at Los Angeles Jordan

Northern League

Eagle Rock at Lincoln

Los Angeles Marshall at Franklin

Valley Mission League

Granada Hills Kennedy at Panorama

Van Nuys at Sylmar

Western League

Fairfax at Westchester

Los Angeles University at Los Angeles Hamilton

Venice at Palisades

West Valley League

Chatsworth at Taft, 7:15 p.m.

Cleveland at Birmingham

Granada Hills at El Camino Real

Nonleague

Belmont at Diego Rivera

Dymally at Rancho Dominguez

Hawkins at West Adams, 4 p.m.

Jefferson at Fremont

Maywood CES at Mendez

Sotomayor at USC Hybrid, 3 p.m.

Torres at Los Angeles, 3:30 p.m.

SOUTHERN SECTION

Alpha League

Edison at Mission Viejo

Los Alamitos at San Juan Hills

Yorba Linda at San Clemente

Angelus League

St. Francis at Cathedral

St. Paul at Paraclete

St. Pius X-St. Matthias Academy at Bishop Montgomery

Baseline League

Chino Hills at Damien

Upland at Etiwanda

Bay League

Leuzinger at Redondo Union

Mira Costa at Inglewood

Big West

Murrieta Mesa at Norco

Riverside King at Corona

Boulder League

Gabrielino at Pasadena

San Marino at Crescenta Valley

South Pasadena at Burbank Burroughs

Bravo League

Corona del Mar at Villa Park

Crean Lutheran at Tustin

La Habra at Capistrano Valley

Camino Real League

Cantwell-Sacred Heart at Bosco Tech

Mary Star of the Sea at St. Monica

Channel League

Moorpark at Santa Barbara

Ventura at Thousand Oaks

Westlake at Rio Mesa

Citrus Belt League

Cajon at Citrus Valley

Redlands at Yucaipa

Redlands East Valley at Beaumont

Citrus Coast League

Carpinteria at Channel Islands

Grace and Santa Clara

Nordhoff at Del Sol

Coastal 101 League

Agoura at Buena

Calabasas at Oak Park

Oxnard at Camarillo

Cottonwood League

Riverside Prep at Arrowhead Christian

Riverside Notre Dame at Whittier Christian

Del Rey League

Alemany at St. Anthony

Harvard-Westlake at Salesian

La Salle at Crespi

Delta League

El Modena at Huntington Beach

Desert Empire League

La Quinta at Shadow Hills

Palm Desert at Rancho Mirage

Palm Springs at Xavier Prep

Desert Sky League

Granite Hills at Adelanto

Victor Valley at Barstow

Epsilon League

Brea Olinda at Trabuco Hills

Santa Ana Foothill at Newport Harbor

Tesoro at Aliso Niguel

Foothill League

Castaic at Canyon Country Canyon

Valencia vs. Saugus at College of the Canyons

Foxtrot League

Irvine at Segerstrom

Orange at El Dorado

Gano League

Chaffey at Walnut

Montclair at Nogales

Rowland at Don Lugo

Gateway League

Cerritos at La Mirada

La Serna at Warren

Mayfair at Downey

Golden League

Antelope Valley at Highland

Palmdale at Eastside

Quartz Hill at Knight

Hacienda League

Baldwin Park at Diamond Bar

Covina at South Hills

West Covina at Los Altos

Hub City League

Compton Early College at Compton Centennial

Dominguez at Compton

Inland Valley League

Heritage at Canyon Springs

Lakeside at Hemet

Iota League

Cypress at Garden Grove Pacifica

Laguna Hills at La Palma Kennedy

Northwood at Marina

Ironwood League

Cerritos Valley Christian at Capistrano Valley Christian

Village Christian at Heritage Christian

Western Christian at Aquinas

Ivy League

Rancho Verde at Rancho Christian

Riverside Poly at Orange Vista

Vista del Lago at Liberty

Kappa League

Esperanza at Fullerton

Portola at Sunny Hills

Lambda League

Fountain Valley at Sonora

Manzanita League

Nuview Bridge at Desert Chapel

Marmonte League

Bishop Diego at Newbury Park

Oaks Christian at Oxnard Pacifica

Simi Valley at St. Bonaventure

Mesquite League

Ontario Christian at Desert Christian Academy

Mid-Cities League

Bellflowet at Santa Fe

Norwalk at California

Paramount at Gahr

Mission League

Bishop Amat at Gardena Serra

Loyola at Sierra Canyon

Sherman Oaks Notre Dame at Chaminade

Mojave River League

Hesperia at Apple Valley

Sultana at Ridgecrest Burroughs

Montview League

Duarte at Ontario

Hacienda Heights Wilson at Sierra Vista

La Puente at Azusa

Moore League

Lakewood at Long Beach Poly

Long Beach Wilson at Long Beach Jordan

Mountain Pass League

West Valley at Tahquitz

Mountain Valley League

La Sierra at Jurupa Valley

Ocean League

Beverly Hills at Lawndale

Peninsula at Hawthorne

Omicron League

Los Amigos at Garden Grove

Santa Ana at Irvine University

Pioneer League

Culver City at El Segundo

Torrance at Santa Monica

River Valley League

Big Bear at Pacific

Norte Vista at Patriot

Sigma League

Anaheim at Katella

Ocean View at Costa Mesa

Rancho Alamitos at Saddleback

605 League

Glenn at Firebaugh

Pioneer at Artesia

Sunbelt League

Hillcrest at Moreno Valley

Perris at Paloma Valley

Riverside North at Valley View

Tri-County League

Dos Pueblos at Hueneme

Fillmore at San Marcos

Santa Paula at Royal

Trinity League

JSerra at St. John Bosco

Mater Dei vs. Santa Margarita at Saddleback College

Servite vs. Orange Lutheran at Orange Coast College

Valle Vista League

Diamond Ranch at Claremont

Los Osos at Chino

San Dimas at Alta Loma

Nonleague

Arroyo at Arcadia

California Military Institute at Silver Valley

Cathedral City at Yucca Valley

Desert Hot Springs at Indio

Millikan at Palos Verdes

Monrovia at Kaiser

Rialto at Bell Gardens

Rosemead at Alhambra

San Gabriel at Mountain View

Schurr at La Canada

St. Genevieve at Brentwood

St. Jeanne de Lestonnac at Rim of the World

INTERSECTIONAL

Angelou at Keppel

Brawley at Linfield Christian

Coachella Valley at Southwest EC

Desert Mirage at Calipatria

Sunnyvale King’s Academy at Rio Hondo Prep

Rosamond vs. Viewpoint at Calabasas

8-MAN

CITY SECTION

City League

Stella at New Designs University Park

Valley League

East Valley at South LA College Prep

Sherman Oaks CES at TEACH Tech

SOUTHERN SECTION

Express League

Downey Calvary Chapel at Magnolia Science Academy

Frontier League

Laguna Blanca at Thousand Oaks Hillcrest Christian

Heritage League

Santa Clarita Christian at Faith Baptist, 4 p.m.

Majestic League

United Christian Academy at Calvary Baptist

Nonleague

Avalon at Vista Meridian

California School for the Deaf Riverside at Hesperia Christian

Trinity Classical Academy at Chadwick, 3:45 p.m.

INTERSECTIONAL

Entrepreneur at Bakersfield Valley Oaks Charter

Maricopa at Laton

SATURDAY’S SCHEDULE

8-MAN

SOUTHERN SECTION

Nonleague

California Lutheran at ACE, 5 p.m.

Flintridge Prep at Thacher, 2 p.m.

INTERSECTIONAL

Orcutt Academy at Cate, 2 p.m.

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Formula 1: Ferrari’s Frederic Vasseur says Christian Horner is proving a distraction

Christian Horner is proving a distraction for Ferrari by “looking for a job”, team principal Frederic Vasseur says.

Horner, dismissed as Red Bull team principal in July 2025, used an interview with the Times this week to say that Ferrari are the only Formula 1 team he would work for without being given a shareholding, describing it as “the dream”, external.

Vasseur outlined his frustration with Horner following Saturday’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix – at which Charles Leclerc finished fourth and his Ferrari team-mate Lewis Hamilton was sixth.

He said: “We are not working in the perfect serenity.

“For me, first, but for everybody in the team, for the media, for 50% of the questions [to be] about this, it’s a bit of a frustrating situation.

“We are fighting for P3 [third place] in the championship, and at the end of the day, we are all speaking a lot about this, and even for the guys in the garage, to discuss about this, it’s the best discussion that we can have.

“But it is what it is, it’s not in my hands. Mr Horner is looking for a job – that everybody knows – everywhere. But what can I do? Just try to do my best to push the team, to rise them to be motivated, focus on what is better today.”

Vasseur was asked whether he was joking about Horner, and replied: “I was very serious.”

And asked whether he would consider working with Horner, he replied: “This you have to ask my assistant.”

That remark appears to be a reference to the circumstances surrounding Horner’s departure from Red Bull in July 2025.

Horner was accused of sexual harassment and coercive, controlling behaviour by a female employee. The allegation became public in February 2024 but the accusations were dismissed by Red Bull following two internal investigations.

Horner was fired from his role as chief executive officer and team principal by Red Bull after the 2025 British Grand Prix.

That decision followed a tumultuous 18 months in the wake of the employee’s allegations, during which a number of senior team figures left – including chief technical officer Adrian Newey – and there was a slump in form.

Red Bull have never given a public explanation for Horner’s dismissal. The two parties agreed on a settlement said by sources to be worth 60m euros (£51.5m).

Ferrari entered this season hoping to be title contenders following the introduction of new chassis and engine rules in F1.

But while their car was acknowledged as the best in the corners as the season began, their engine has lacked performance compared to those of Mercedes and Red Bull.

This lack of power was exposed on the long straights of the Baku circuit, as Leclerc slipped back in the race after qualifying second.

Vasseur said on Saturday: “With the situation that we are in the engine, we are losing one position per lap, and then we lose the path of the race.

“Honestly we were surprised to be in the first row, because Baku is the most demanding in terms of engine, and was not expecting to do so. But we knew even starting from the first row that the opening laps, or in case of restarting safety car and so, it would be difficult. And it was.”

Asked whether he was still committed to his position at Ferrari, Vasseur said: “Motorsport is my life, it’s my business. I’m trying to do my best. I’m there to do my job. I have the best job in the world, heh. But, it is like it is. We have still seven races to go, and I will push until the last corner.”

Ferrari have not won a world championship since 2008, and have rarely had a fully competitive car since then.

Horner said in his interview: “Would I consider Ferrari? I mean, Ferrari is the biggest brand in Formula 1. It’s the dream. And arguably it’s the sleeping giant of Formula 1.”

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Franklin wins three canoe medals at European championships

Olympic medallist Mallory Franklin completed her return to action by winning canoe gold and kayak cross silver at the Paddle Europe Slalom Championships in Ivrea.

The 32-year-old delivered a flawless, penalty-free run of 100.47 seconds to beat France’s Doriane Delassus by 0.03 seconds and claim her third career European C1 title.

Victory marked Franklin’s first individual medal since the birth of her daughter, having opened her week in Italy with a bronze medal in the team event.

“It’s a really nice way to end the year. It’s been a tough one coming back and getting back on the start line,” said Franklin.

“I’ve been building throughout the year and it’s just a nice way to finish it.”

Franklin went on to complete a full set of medals on the final day, battling through the kayak cross knockout rounds under the floodlights to secure silver behind the Czech Republic’s Tereza Kneblova.

Great Britain enjoyed double success in the kayak cross as two-time Olympic medallist Kimberley Woods took individual gold, winning the morning time trial in 48.02 seconds ahead of Poland’s Klaudia Zwolinska.

And there was bronze in the men’s K1 team event for Ben Haylett, Sam Leaver and Joe Clarke, to go with the one won by Woods, Franklin and Ellis Miller in the women’s C1.

In the men’s events, Clarke and Sam Leaver missed out on the podium in the kayak final, finishing fifth and sixth respectively behind Czech winner Jakub Krejci.

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Malaysia’s Eain, Sivasangari book LA28 Olympics berth with Asian Games gold | Olympics

The top seeds defend their Asian Games squash titles, becoming the first players to qualify for the Los Angeles Games.

Malaysia’s Eain Yow Ng and Sivasangari Subramaniam have made history by becoming the first squash players to qualify for the Summer Olympics after winning gold medals at the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.

The defending champions won the men’s and women’s finals on Sunday and earned a ticket to the 2028 Los Angeles Games, where squash will make its Olympic debut.

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Squash is among a handful of sports at Aichi-Nagoya where a gold medal serves as automatic qualification for the next Olympics.

Both Eain and Sivasangari successfully defended their titles without dropping a single game in their campaigns. Their victories gave Malaysia its fifth and sixth gold medals.

World number 18 Eain thrashed India’s Abhay Singh 11-9, 11-5, 11-5 in 33 minutes at the Nagoya Kinjo Futo Arena and became the first Malaysian to qualify for the Olympics.

Asian Games - Aichi-Nagoya 2026 - Squash - Takeda Teva Ocean Arena, Nagoya, Japan - September 27, 2026 Malaysia's Sivasangari Subramaniam in action during the Women's Singles Gold Medal Match against India's Anahat Singh REUTERS/Chalinee Thirasupa
Subramaniam in action during the women’s singles gold medal match [Chalinee Thirasupa/Reuters]

World number five Sivasangari joined her compatriot soon after when she made quick work of the women’s final against India’s Anahat Singh.

She demolished Singh, ranked 17th in the world, 11-4, 11-4, 11-7 in just 23 minutes to clinch gold.

Earlier, Singh, the world junior champion, produced a stellar comeback in the semifinals from two sets down to overpower Japan’s Satomi Watanabe (9-11, 11-13, 12-10, 11-6, 11-3) on Saturday.

“I think it is the best win of my career,” Singh, 18, said after the match. “She’s number six in the world, and that’s the highest win I’ve ever had in my squash career.”

She made history even before Sunday’s match began when her semifinal victory made her the first Indian woman to reach the singles final at the Asian Games.

Earlier in the day, Pakistan picked up two more bronze medals at the games as third seed Noor Zaman toppled compatriot Ashab Irfan 3-0 in the bronze medal match. Watanabe took a 3-1 win over Hong Kong’s Sin Yuk Chan.

Asian Games - Aichi-Nagoya 2026 - Squash - Takeda Teva Ocean Arena, Nagoya, Japan - September 27, 2026 Pakistan's Noor Zaman celebrates after winning his Men's Singles 3/4 Play-off against Pakistan's Muhammad Irfan REUTERS/Chalinee Thirasupa
Pakistan’s Noor Zaman celebrates after winning his bronze medal match against compatriot Ashab Irfan [Chalinee Thirasupa/Reuters]

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Maiara Niehues lifts Angel City to victory over Washington

Maiara Niehues scored in the 88th minute for visiting Angel City in a 1-0 win Saturday that sent the Washington Spirit a third straight loss.

Carina Lageyre found Niehues at the top of the penalty area with two minutes remaining in regulation.

Both Spirit goalkeeper Sandy MacIver and Angel City goalkeeper Angelina Anderson made just two saves.

Angel City improved to 12-8-6.

The Spirit fell to 14-8-4.

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Angels rally against Mariners before bullpen falters in loss No. 99

Taylor Ward put Seattle ahead with a pinch-hit two-run single in the seventh inning, J.P Crawford followed with a two-run homer and the Mariners beat the Angels 8-4 on Saturday night.

Mariners left-hander Kade Anderson threw 3⅓ scoreless innings but left in the fourth after taking a 104-mph line drive to the left arm hit by Christian Moore. Michael Rucker came on in relief. The Mariners (75-86) said Anderson had a left forearm bruise.

Ward, who has struggled since joining the Mariners from Baltimore at the trade deadline, drove in Cole Young and Michael Arroyo with his hit off Angels lefty Mitch Farris (1-4).

Crawford hit Farris’ next pitch into the right field stands.

The Angels (62-99) tied the game with four runs in the sixth. Bryce Teodosio drove in a two-run single off reliever Jose Ferrer, Wade Meckler scored from third on a sacrifice bunt from Tyler Heineman and Jose Siri tied it on a groundout to third base that scored Teodosio.

In the ninth inning, Josh Naylor reached on a walk and stole second base, becoming the first first baseman since George Sisler in 1920-1922 to have consecutive 30-steal seasons.

Gabe Speier pitched a scoreless ninth inning for the Mariners. Carlos Vargas (3-0) got the win.

Up next: Angels left-hander Yusei Kikuchi (1-6, 4.88 ERA) will face Mariners right-hander Logan Gilbert (12-11, 3.81 ERA) in Sunday’s season finale.

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Norway vs Portugal: UEFA Nations League – Ronaldo, Haaland, teams, form | Football

Who: Norway vs Portugal
What: UEFA Nations League 2026-2027, Group A4 match
Where: Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo, Norway
When: Sunday at 7:45pm (18:45 GMT)
How to follow: Al Jazeera Sport will bring you all the build-up and live updates from 15:45 GMT.

Record two-time UEFA Nations League champions Portugal continue their title defence on matchday two with a trip to Oslo against an exciting Norway side.

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After starting their campaign with a 1-0 home win over Wales, holders Portugal face their first big test of the competition on Sunday against the Norwegians, who defied expectations with a historic quarterfinal finish at this year’s FIFA World Cup.

Spearheaded by Erling Haaland, arguably one of Europe’s most dangerous strikers, and captained by midfield maestro Martin Odegaard, Norway made a winning start too, beating their Scandinavian rivals Denmark 3-2 in a thrilling opener.

Frustrated after a string of missed chances in the first game, Portugal’s talisman Cristiano Ronaldo will hope to rediscover his form as the team embraces a new chapter under coach Jorge Jesus, whose first game in charge was on Thursday against Wales.

What is the UEFA Nations League?

The UEFA Nations League was founded in 2018 to reduce the number of meaningless friendlies and give nations competitive matches against equally ranked teams.

In this competition, countries from across Europe participate in a league structure that features promotion and relegation.

When did Norway and Portugal last meet?

The teams last met in a 2016 international friendly in Porto when hosts Portugal defeated Norway 3-0.

Norway vs Portugal: Head-to-head

  • Matches: 11
  • Norway’s wins: 1
  • Portugal’s wins: 8
  • Draws: 2

Norway vs Portugal: Form guide

(Last five games, latest results first)

Norway: W-L-W-W-L

Portugal: W-L-W-D-W

Who are the top players to watch?

Haaland and Oscar Bobb (Norway): A double from Haaland and another goal from Bobb set Norway on course for a winning start, and the attacking pair should be in the limelight in front of their home crowd this weekend. Manchester City’s Haaland, especially, has been in top form this term with an incredible seven goals in as many games across all competitions.

Ronaldo and Joao Felix (Portugal): Portugal’s striking pair of Ronaldo and Felix ought to be careful in the final third this time out after Felix’s lone strike in the opening win in Lisbon. Ronaldo had a goal ruled out and was among the players who missed a flurry of chances as Portugal registered a whopping 23 total shots but with only five on target, of which just one hit the back of the net.

OSLO, NORWAY - SEPTEMBER 24: Erling Haaland of Norway celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the UEFA Nations League 2026/27 group phase match between Norway and Denmark at Ullevaal Stadion on September 24, 2026 in Oslo, Norway. (Photo by Marius Nordnes / Nordnes Foto/Getty Images)
On average, Erling Haaland scores more than one goal a game for Norway [File: Marius Nordnes/Nordnes Foto via Getty Images]

Will Haaland, Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes play?

Both forwards are fit to play, but Portugal will miss the services of their talismanic midfielder Bruno Fernandes, who is injured.

Fernandes has played in all seven of Manchester United’s matches this season and featured from the start for Portugal against Wales before being withdrawn in the 90th minute.

Jesus said he doesn’t want to “risk” the player against Norway.

“Against Wales, we went in with practically everyone physically available and came out with a complicated problem with Bruno Fernandes,” the coach said.

“He’s coming off an injury at United, and he told me he’s been playing with that pain for the last three games, which is hindering him.

“It was one of the factors that prevented Bruno from playing at his best against Wales. I’ve already spoken to him, and I prefer not to risk it in this game, so he’s fully fit for the Denmark match.”

Haaland: The King of the North

Haaland’s double against Denmark on Thursday marked another milestone in the 26-year-old striker’s enviable career. He is now the highest-scoring Nordic man in international football history, surpassing Sweden’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Haaland’s goal tally for Norway stands at 64 goals compared with Ibrahimovic’s 62. Incredibly, Haaland has shattered that record in 56 appearances – less than half of the 122 matches Ibrahimovic needed.

“It is not possible to explain nor ‌‌is it possible to learn. He is born with it. It is instinct,” Norway manager Stale Solbakken said about Haaland.

Having made his senior debut in 2019, Haaland boasts a record of scoring more than one goal per game for Norway.

“It’s madness,” midfielder Sander Berge said about Haaland’s talent. “It’s everyday business that Haaland scores goals, so it’s reasonable that he is up there, but it’s ⁠⁠powerful.”

What have the coaches said?

Jesus: “Norway are one of the strongest teams in Europe. They have players we know like Haaland and Odegaard who play at a very high level in England. They will create more goalscoring opportunities against us than Wales, and I hope we have the defensive capacity.

“There’s not much to improve. We’ll evolve the game we’ve already played, but I trust that the team will respond defensively and will be more creative offensively.”

Solbakken: “They changed the coach, and if you look at what he did at his previous clubs and the football they played, the way they played against Wales was a little different to what it was with [Roberto] Martinez. There were players in other positions, and we took that into account in our game plan. Obviously, they have good players all over the field. We expect a close and balanced game. It’s our home game, so we’ll try to stop their biggest assets, but it’s also important for us to play our game and be loyal to the way we’ve been playing in recent years.”

Have Haaland and Ronaldo ever played each other?

No, the 26-year-old and 41-year-old greats have never crossed paths. Norway and Portugal have not played each other frequently either.

Norway vs Portugal: TV channels, livestreaming

  • Norway: TV 2 Play
  • Portugal: Sport TV Portugal
  • United Kingdom: Prime Video UK
  • United States: FOX Sports, FuboTV, ViX
  • India: Sony Sports Network
  • Middle East and North Africa: beIN SPORTS
  • South Africa: DStv Stream

You can find your regional broadcaster on UEFA’s official broadcaster listing.

Norway’s team news and predicted lineup

Norway will be without David Moller Wolfe, who is suspended after picking up two yellow cards in the last game.

Probable Norway XI: Orjan Nyland; Julian Ryerson, Kristoffer Ajer, Torbjorn Heggem, Fredrik Aursnes; Odegaard, Sander Berge, Patrick Berg; Bobb, Haaland, Antonio Nusa

Portugal’s team news and predicted lineup

Portugal have a fully fit squad.

Probable Portugal XI: Diogo Costa; Joao Cancelo, Ruben Dias, Renato Veiga, Nuno Mendes; Ruben Neves; Pedro Neto, Vitinha, Joao Neves; Felix, Ronaldo

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João Klauss, Justin Haak power Galaxy to comeback over Colorado

João Klauss and Justin Haak scored following a second-half own goal by Colorado’s Reggie Cannon and the Galaxy rallied to beat the Rapids 3-2 on Saturday night.

Rookie Donavan Phillip scored his second goal four minutes into his fourth start to give Colorado (11-13-3) the lead. Phillip got assists from Josh Atencio and Jackson Travis in making his eighth appearance.

Paxten Aaronson came through with his career-high seventh goal for a 2-0 lead in the 39th minute with assists from Rob Holding and Loïc Williams.

The Galaxy (9-10-9) cut it to 2-1 in the 53rd minute on Cannon’s miscue, and Klauss scored his sixth goal — unassisted in the 66th to tie it.

Haak scored for the first time this season to give the Galaxy the lead in the 74th minute. It was his third career goal after scoring twice in 81 appearances with New York City FC from 2019-2025.

JT Marcinkowski finished with two saves for the Galaxy, which went 3-1-1 this month.

Nico Hansen saved four shots for Colorado in a 1-2-2 September.

The Galaxy improve to 5-4-5 at home after starting play eighth in the Western Conference.

The Rapids entered in seventh place before falling to 2-10-2 on the road.

Up next for the Galaxy: at St. Louis City on Oct 11.

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Fury vs Joshua: Dana White casts doubt on fight after 24 hours of chaos

Netflix and Saudi powerbroker Turki Alalshikh’s fight announcement was striking for who it included – and who it did not. The event was presented as a collaboration involving Alalshikh’s The Ring and White.

There was no mention of Matchroom’s Eddie Hearn, who has promoted Joshua throughout his professional career, or Queensberry’s Frank Warren, Fury’s long-time promoter.

White’s involvement was not entirely unexpected.

The Zuffa Boxing promoter has been saying for weeks he would be involved in Fury-Joshua.

Hearn has been equally adamant he would not. After Thursday’s announcement, Hearn said Joshua’s contract specifically prevented White and American sports entertainment company TKO from having a promotional role, claiming Netflix had not been made aware of that provision.

Hearn said there had been breaches of the agreement which needed to be resolved and cast doubt on whether Wednesday’s news conference would go ahead.

Fury says a similar restriction originally appeared in his own contract but was removed because he wanted White involved.

Warren has taken a more pragmatic position. Speaking to BBC Sport before the latest dispute escalated, he said his understanding was White had helped secure the Netflix deal and compromises had been necessary to get the fight made.

On Saturday, White was generally non-committal on the future of the contest but much clearer in his criticism of Hearn. “The guy who is supposed to be helping the fight has been hurting the fight,” White said. “He hasn’t done the fight any favours.”

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Fisher vs Pirotton: Johnny Fisher wins by majority decision in first fight for Zuffa Boxing

The 7,500-capacity Copper Box was some way short of full, with the upper tier closed and empty seats dotted around the arena.

But Fisher’s “Bosh Army” did their best to fill the gaps with noise, giving the “Romford Bull” a raucous reception.

Alongside his social-media star father “Big John”, Fisher has built a loyal following through an unusually unfiltered glimpse into family life, training camps and the pair’s well-documented enthusiasm for Chinese takeaways.

Fisher started with intent, swinging heavy hooks and reddening Pirotton’s eye in the opening round.

The little-known Belgian was unfazed by the home support or Fisher’s pressure, but his eye was cut by the second.

“I can see, don’t stop the fight,” Pirotton told the referee before a doctor examined him in the fourth.

Allowed to continue, he came out firing, but Fisher responded with a flurry to head and body.

Blood stained Pirotton’s white shorts, yet he rallied in the fifth – his best round – as Fisher began to look tired and static.

Among those in attendance were British fighters Derek Chisora, Conor Benn and Caroline Dubois, alongside WWE stars AJ Styles and LA Knight.

WWE is owned by American sports and entertainment group TKO, which is also behind Zuffa Boxing.

The doctor took another look at Pirotton before the seventh but allowed the bout to continue.

Neither man was offering much by the latter stages until a short right hand from Fisher staggered Pirotton in the 10th.

For a moment, a 13th stoppage victory appeared within reach, but Fisher could not find the finishing burst as Pirotton slipped to his third loss in 15 fights.

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USC loses to Oregon in another letdown of the Lincoln Riley era

It was nearly a half decade ago now that Lincoln Riley, dressed in a slick blue suit and glossy cardinal tie, stood atop the Coliseum’s rooftop deck, grinning as he gazed out across the field below. He’d just been introduced as USC’s new head coach, and in that moment, anything felt possible for the future of Trojan football. Riley, at the time, was one of the most renowned young coaches in college football. And as he surveyed the scene, he painted the picture of a day when the Trojans were back on top and the Coliseum was hallowed ground once again.

“This place,” Riley said that day, “is going to be the mecca of college football.”

But less than five years later, as final seconds ticked away on a 41-27 loss to Oregon on Saturday, fans trudged towards the exits, and that very same stadium sat in hushed disbelief. The Trojans’ season wasn’t over by any means — not after a single loss to No. 20 Oregon — but in that moment, the future that Riley had envisioned felt as far away as ever.

There would still be chances for Riley and his Trojans to make their statement this season. But the stakes on Saturday had arguably never been higher for USC’s coach, who spent all off-season explaining how this season would be different. There were no more excuses, no more explanations for why USC was still falling short — even he seemed to agree to that. Everything he’d been pointing towards in the distance was now here, culminating all at once.

With a gauntlet of a Big Ten schedule ahead, there was no better time for Riley to prove he had USC moving in the right direction and no better matchup to help catapult the Trojans into College Football Playoff conversation than Oregon, its newest — and still maybe most bitter — rival. The whole college football world was watching, waiting to see if USC’s coach could deliver in the most critical of moments.

Instead, the Trojans found themselves in an all-too-familiar, all-too-painful position, one they’d experienced many times before during Riley’s tenure. Mistakes piled up. Ill-timed penalties, too. And worst of all, USC’s defense still couldn’t get a stop. It gave up 505 yards to Oregon, the third-most it had allowed over the past three seasons.

The Ducks would score on six of their last seven drives, almost all of which featured their backup quarterback at the helm. That was after Oregon star quarterback Dante Moore was knocked out of the game early in the second quarter following a brutal hit by USC linebacker Desman Stephens. The hit started a shoving match between players from both teams.

Stephens, who was seen celebrating after the play, was kicked out of the game, but remained on the sideline in the second half.

Oregon quarterback Dante Moore is taken off the field on a stretcher before being transported to the hospital.

Oregon quarterback Dante Moore is taken off the field on a stretcher before being transported to the hospital after taking a hit from USC linebacker Desman Stephens in the second quarter. Stephens was ejected from the game.

(Ronaldo Bolanos / Los Angeles Times)

The play would cast a pall over the whole game, but Raiola managed to throw for 289 yards and two touchdowns against USC’s defense. Jayden Maiava, meanwhile, had 326 yards and two touchdowns, but completed just 23 of 42 passes.

The rushing attack wasn’t much better, as the Trojans averaged a mere 3.6 yards per rush.

The afternoon began on a bitter note for USC. After marching down the field on a 13-play opening drive, a third-down sack forced the Trojans to settle for a field-goal attempt. But Caden Chittenden missed an easy kick wide right. It was just the latest in a string of recent special teams slip-ups for the Trojans.

The defense, however, would hold early. Even after Oregon running back Jordon Davison burst out of the backfield for a 45-yard run on the Ducks’ first play. Oregon finished that drive with a field goal, the only points either high-scoring offense managed in the first quarter.

Unable to get anything going on the ground, the Trojans turned to their stud freshman receiver to pace the offense. Five of Maiava’s first seven completions went to Kayden Dixon-Wyatt, one of which came on a 31-yard strike down the seam to the freshman, who reeled in a touchdown in spite of tight coverage.

USC quarterback Jayden Maiava passes during the first quarter against Oregon on Saturday.

USC quarterback Jayden Maiava passes during the first quarter against Oregon on Saturday.

(Ronaldo Bolanos / Los Angeles Times)

Oregon was mounting a response when Moore took off on a quarterback scramble. But as he slid, Stephens decked Moore with a direct hit to his helmet, even after he already gave himself up. Moore spent several minutes on the field before being loaded onto a cart and taken to Los Angeles General Medical Center by ambulance.

Raiola, the backup, would take the reins of Oregon’s offense in Moore’s place, leading the Ducks to the doorstep of the goal line. But once again USC’s defense stood tall in the red zone, holding Oregon to a field goal.

It wouldn’t have as much luck in the second half, as Raiola found a rhythm. He led the Ducks on two consecutive touchdown drives in just 11 total plays.

But USC responded with three straight scoring drives of its own, and even added a stop from its defense in between. The third — an 11-yard strike to Tanook Hines — tied the score 27-27 with less than 13 minutes remaining.

USC looked to have Oregon stopped in its tracks on the ensuing possession. Then, on a third-and-long incompletion, defensive tackle Jide Abasiri was flagged for rushing the passer. The penalty gave Oregon just the opening it needed. The Ducks scored five plays later, as Raiola lofted a prayer to the corner of the end zone that was answered by one of his wideouts, Dakorien Moore.

A failed fourth-down attempt for USC would all but end it, as Maiava’s desperation pass was swatted away, along with the Trojans’ hopes.

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