CSK hang in by a thread after beating RCB by 8 wickets
Dubai: Chennai Super Kings finally displayed the much-needed intent, keeping themselves just mathematically alive with a comprehensive eight-wicket victory over Royal Challengers Bangalore in an Indian Premier League match here on Sunday.
The fearless cricket that skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni so expected came to the fore as they chased down a target of 146 in 18.4 overs to take their tally to eight points.
Young Ruturaj Gaikwad (65 not out off 51 balls) showed his potential with a maiden fifty but skipper Dhoni wouldn't be wrong in thinking that it came too late in the day when the 'Yellow Brigade' is all but out of the play-off reckoning.
Gaikwad and veteran Ambati Rayudu (39 off 27 balls) added 67 runs in 8.2 overs for the second wicket to finish off a chase in style although it might have been too little too late.
However, with CSK's maximum achievable points tally set to be 12, a victory for KKR in their next game against Kings XI Punjab on Monday, will officially end the campaign for Dhoni's brigade.
KKR are currently on 12 points while Mumbai Indians (before Sunday evening game), Delhi Capitals and Royal Challengers Bangalore are all on 14 points.
On Sunday, CSK looked purposeful in their pursuit of a small target.
Gaikwad, one of the most talked-about young players in this league, finally had a good day in office, hitting four fours and three sixes. He looked assured while choosing the loose deliveries as he swept Yuzvendra Chahal for a boundary and came down the track to loft Moeen Ali for a six.
Fittingly, a hooked six by Gaikwad brought CSK's much-awaited win.
Rayudu, at the other end, used Navdeep Saini's pace, as he slashed him over backward point for a six and then again showed intent by charging down the track for a boundary.
Earlier, the celebrated pair of Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers were briefly entertaining but Chennai Super Kings managed to restrict Royal Challengers Bangalore to 145 for 6 in their stipulated 20 overs.
Sam Curran was once again brilliant up-front and also at the death, finishing with figures of 3/19 in three overs. Credit to the CSK bowlers as they conceded only 20 runs in the last three overs and managed to take four wickets.
IPL's most prolific batting pair of Kohli and De Villiers added 82 runs with some great technique against CSK spinners Imran Tahir (1/30 in 4 overs) and Mitchell Santner (1/23 in 4 overs) who kept a tight leash during the middle overs.
Deepak Chahar was once again steady, finishing with 2 for 31 in his four-over spell.
Kohli scored 50 off 43 balls with a four and a six while De Villiers helped himself to a polished 39 off 36 balls. De Villiers hit four boundaries.
The CSK bowlers did well enough to take the pace off the ball which made it difficult for RCB batsmen to score. Yet, Kohli and De Villiers did manage to take control of the proceedings but failed to finish with a flourish.
However, whenever Tahir flighted the ball, his country-mate De Villiers was quick to reach to the pitch of the deliveries to drive elegantly through the covers.
Kohli had one bowler's backdrive off Tahir and for a good measure lifted Ravindra Jadeja for a straight maximum which was his 200th six.
Kohli's off-side play was another lesson for all youngsters as he would just adjust his wrists at the last moment to hit those inside-out shots off the spinners.
With ball stopping and coming off the surface, Kohli never looked out of control during his third half-century of the season.
It took a tremendous diving catch at long-ff from Faf du Plessis off Sam Curran to dismiss Kohli as RCB fell short of 150-run mark.
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Mbappé equals ''idol'' Ronaldo with his record 59th goal in a year for Real Madrid
Barcelona (AP): Kylian Mbappé scored his 59th goal for Real Madrid in 2025 on Saturday to equal the club record for the most in a year held by Cristiano Ronaldo.
The milestone was about to escape the France striker until he converted a penalty kick with four minutes left to complete a 2-0 win over 10-man Sevilla in Madrid's final game of the year.
On his 27th birthday, Mbappé matched Ronaldo's tally from 2013. After embracing his teammates, he marked the feat with a subdued version of Ronaldo's trademark goal celebration — whereby the Portugal forward leaps up and thrusts his arms downwards upon landing — before blowing a kiss at the television cameras.
The former Paris Saint-Germain star, who joined Madrid in the summer of 2024, has scored 29 times for Madrid this season, including a league-leading 18.
“It's incredible, in my first (full) year to do what Cristiano did. (He's) my idol, the best player in the history of Real Madrid,” Mbappé said.
“My celebration is for him. I wanted to do that because he helped me adapt here and now I can help Madrid win games with my goals. I wanted to share it with him. I have a really good relationship with him, he is my friend, and I wish him and all Madrid fans a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.”
Jude Bellingham scored with a header in the 38th minute and Sevilla lost defender Marcao to a second booking for rash tackles with 20 minutes left.
Sevilla coach Matías Almeyda also was expelled by the referee during the halftime break apparently for protesting.
Alonso dodges a bullet
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Alonso has been under pressure for several weeks due to a run of bad results and the overall lackluster play of his star-studded side. Spanish sports media is rife with speculation the first-year coach could be replaced.
Now Madrid club president Florentino Pérez will have two weeks to ponder the team's future before its next game against Real Betis on Jan. 4.
Alonso could have ill afforded another slip at the Santiago Bernabeu after his side lost its previous two home games. But Madrid's fans still had reason to grumble after Sevilla repeatedly created scoring chances — even after being reduced to 10 men.
Alexis Sánchez, still spry at age 37, and right back Juanlu Sánchez stood out the most for a Sevilla side that poked holes in Madrid's defense.
Madrid needed Thibaut Courtois to deny Alexis, Isaac Romero and Alfonso González on four strikes in the second half. But Sevilla could have gone ahead if it had just showed more finishing touch early on.
The result was still in doubt until Mbappé converted his spot kick after Juanlu fouled Rodrygo in the area.
“Today was a game we had to win, we were in a complicated situation,” Alonso said. “We know that we can play better, and now we have the three points and will try to start the new year by improving.”
Madrid is in second place at one point behind Barcelona before the leader visits third-placed Villarreal on Sunday.
Teams draw before hiring coaches
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Levante and Real Sociedad drew 1-1 in Valencia before both sides announced the hiring of new coaches.
Sociedad hired American coach Pellegrino Matarazzo, while Luís Castro joined last-placed Levante.
Budimir brace for Osasuna
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Ante Budimir scored his first league goals in nearly two months to help Osasuna beat Alaves 3-0 and achieve its biggest win of the campaign.
The Croatia striker volleyed in a cross for the 72nd-minute breakthrough after Alaves goalkeeper Antonio Sivera made several saves.
Budimir made it a brace from the penalty spot after a handball by Víctor Parada and Raúl García completed the scoring in stoppage time.
Pigeons on the pitch
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Real Oviedo did not improve in the debut of its third coach of the season after a scoreless draw with Celta Vigo at home.
Celta had the best chances to break the deadlock of a game that featured a small flock of pigeons that spent a long period of time on the field.
Guillermo Almada is Oviedo's third coach since returning to the top flight last season. The team from northern Spain is in second-to-last place.
