It’s the business end of the football season. Games are now coming in thick and fast. A rookie driver is set to take the place of a Formula 1 great. Manchester United, Cristiano Ronaldo, Formula 1, Basketball all feature in our mid week sports round up.
PSG beat Man United in Four goal thriller
Manchester United’s Champions League campaign is hanging in the balance as two goals from Neymar helped Paris St-Germain secure victory at Old Trafford. Marcus Rashford had cancelled out the Brazilian’s early opener with his third goal in four games against the French outfit.
But Marquinos’ excellent second-half finish put the visitors back in front and after United midfielder Fred had been sent off for a foul on Ander Herrera, Neymar tapped home his 38th Champions League goal. The result leaves United level with PSG and RB Leipzig on nine points in Group H and knowing they need a draw away to the German side next Tuesday to progress to the last 16.
Ronaldo Scores 750th career goal
Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 750th career goal as Juventus eased to victory against Dynamo Kyiv in a match refereed by Stephanie Frappart, who became the first woman to take charge of a men’s Champions League fixture. The Portuguese forward scored the second for the Italian champions, already through to the last 16, when he tapped in after Georgi Bushchan’s attempted block rebounded off Juve striker Alvaro Morata.
Ronaldo was a made to wait a few seconds before the VAR team signalled to the French referee the goal would stand. Juventus are at Barcelona in their final Group G match next week, with both sides vying to finish top of the pool.
British driver George Russell to replace Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes in Bahrain
Williams driver George Russell will replace Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes for this weekend’s Sakhir Grand Prix. Hamilton has been forced to withdraw from the race in Bahrain after testing positive for Covid-19. Williams reserve Jack Aitken will replace Russell.
“I might be wearing a different race suit this weekend, but I’m a Williams driver and I’ll be cheering my team on every step of the way,” said 22-year-old Russell.
“I see this as a great chance to learn from the best outfit on the grid right now and to come back as an improved driver, with even more energy and experience to help push Williams further up the grid. A big thank you also to Mercedes for putting their faith in me. Obviously, nobody can replace Lewis, but I’ll give my all for the team in his absence from the moment I step in the car. Most importantly, I wish him a speedy recovery. I’m really looking forward to the opportunity and can’t wait to get out on track this week.”
Mercedes have guided Russell’s career since 2017 and he was a Mercedes reserve driver in 2018 before they released him to Williams on a three-year contract from the start of the 2019 season. He is highly rated by the team as a candidate for a potential future drive.
LeBron James, Lakers agree to two-year, $85 million extension
Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James has agreed to a two-year, $85 million contract extension, his agent, Rich Paul of Klutch Sports Group, told ESPN and multiple outlets Wednesday. James, who turns 36 later this month, averaged 25.3 points last season and led the NBA in assists with 10.2 per game. He will be 38 when the contract ends.
This extension will take James through the 2022-23 season, giving him 20 seasons in the NBA. He played 11 seasons in Cleveland over two stints, four with the Miami Heat and will play at least five in L.A. James is now set to make $39.2 million in 2020-21, $41,180,544 in 2021-22 and $44,474,988 in 2022-23. His career earnings from his NBA contracts will approach $435 million by the end of the extension.
James was named the 2020 NBA Finals MVP after leading the Lakers past the Heat in six games. He became the first player in NBA history to win the award with three franchises; he also was Finals MVP with the Heat in 2012 and ’13 and with the Cavaliers in 2016.