Arsenal advanced to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Women's Champions League with a narrow 1-0 win against Juventus at the Emirates Stadium. Lina Hurtig scored the winning goal in the 89th minute, securing victory for Arsenal despite a match filled with frustration due to Juventus' resilient defence. This victory marks a significant improvement in Arsenal's tournament performance, while Juventus' campaign ends following this defeat. Both teams now turn their focus to domestic league commitments.
Australia makes a strong start in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy's first Test in Perth, securing four wickets by the end of the opening session. Simultaneously, the International Criminal Court makes headlines by issuing arrest warrants against notable Israeli leaders, causing international political ripples. On the cricketing front, Zimbabwe achieves a historic high score in a T20 International match. This article explores the key developments in both cricket and international politics.
Chelsea Women's team has triumphantly entered the UEFA Women’s Champions League quarter-finals after defeating Celtic Women 3-0 at Stamford Bridge. This victory, accentuated by goals from Lucy Bronze, Wieke Kaptein, and Eve Perisset, marked Chelsea's fourth consecutive win in the group stage and extended their undefeated streak to 11 matches. Notably, the match also saw a significant moment with the debut of 17-year-old Academy graduate Lola Brown.
Wales celebrated a remarkable 4-1 triumph over Iceland in their last UEFA Nations League group match, securing promotion to League A. The victory at Cardiff City Stadium was a significant milestone for manager Craig Bellamy, who preserved his unbeaten six-game streak. Although Wales fell behind early to a goal from Andri Gudjohnsen, they mounted a strong comeback led by Liam Cullen and Brennan Johnson, ensuring a decisive win and boosting their World Cup qualification hopes.
Germany and Hungary played out a 1-1 draw in their UEFA Nations League encounter in Budapest on November 19, 2024. Despite Germany already securing the top spot in the group prior to the match, they fielded a rotated squad, showcasing their squad depth with nine changes from their previous victory. Felix Nmecha scored his first international goal for Germany, while Dominik Szoboszlai equalised for Hungary with a penalty in stoppage time, after a VAR review. The game was marked by Germany's dominance in possession and Hungary's late resurgence, resulting in a shared point for both teams.
An emotional day for tennis fans as Rafael Nadal, the 22-time Grand Slam champion, played his final professional match against Botic van de Zandschulp in the Davis Cup quarter-finals, following a storied career marked by remarkable achievements and unwavering sportsmanship.
On 18th November 2024, Poland faced Scotland in a decisive UEFA Nations League match, resulting in a 1-2 loss and their relegation to a lower league for the first time ever. The game, held at PGE Narodowy stadium in Warsaw, was marked by early and late goals from Scotland, despite Poland's valiant efforts, including an equalising goal by Kamil Piątkowski. With changes following a loss to Portugal, Poland finished bottom of their group, aiming now to rebuild for future competitions.
Scotland secured a crucial victory over Poland with a 2-1 win at the National Stadium in Warsaw, saving their UEFA Nations League A status. Early scoring by John McGinn and a decisive stoppage-time goal by Andy Robertson helped Scotland avoid relegation and set up potential playoff qualifications. Despite Poland's efforts, Scotland's resilience and strategic gameplay under coach Steve Clarke shone through. The match highlighted promising performances from young talents like Ben Doak, offering hope for Scotland's future in upcoming competitive fixtures.
Spain emerged victorious with a 3-2 win against Switzerland in their final UEFA Nations League Group A4 match. The match, held on 18th November 2024 in Tenerife, saw Spain advance to the quarter-finals while Switzerland faced relegation to League B. The game featured exciting moments including three penalties, with Spain securing their win in injury time.
Australia's Matildas captain Sam Kerr and her partner Kristie Mewis from West Ham United are expecting their first child in 2025, sharing this personal joy amidst facing homophobic abuse. Known for their efforts to normalise love between women, the couple received both significant support and hateful remarks on social media, igniting discussions on prejudice within sports communities. Kerr, sidelined due to injury, continues to inspire as Australia's top goalscorer, while Chelsea Pride condemns the intolerance.