Here is a round up of the top stories from the world of sports in the past week.
Ajax hammer VVV-Venlo 13-0 in Eredivisie record win
Dutch giants Ajax recorded the biggest victory in Eredivisie history with a 13-0 thrashing at mid-table side VVV-Venlo, who had a player sent off. Ajax, who lost 1-0 to Liverpool in the Champions League on Wednesday, surpassed their previous record – a 12-1 win over Vitesse in 1972.
Teenager Lassina Traore scored five, while Jurgen Ekkelenkamp, 20, and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, 37, scored twice.
Dusan Tadic, Antony, Daley Blind and Lisandro Martinez scored the rest.
Defender Christian Kum, 35, was sent off for VVV-Venlo in the second half with the team already trailing 4-0.
Burkina Faso international Traore, 19, scored the most goals in a Dutch top-flight match since September 2019, when Donyell Malen netted the same amount for PSV Eindhoven against Vitesse.
He also became the first Ajax player to record five goals in an Eredivisie match since Marco van Basten in 1985 (six) and the first from the club to record three assists in a league match since Frenkie de Jong in 2017.
Khabib announces retirement from UFC
Khabib Nurmagomedov extended his perfect professional record as he retained his lightweight title at UFC 254 in Abu Dhabi – then announced his retirement. Russian Nurmagomedov, 32, defeated interim champion Justin Gaethje with a second-round triangle choke submission to claim a 29th victory and unify the 155lb title.
Nurmagomedov said he had honoured the memory of his father, coach and mentor Abdulmanap, who died in July following complications arising from Covid-19. Despite many believing Nurmagomedov would chase his 30th professional win before contemplating retirement, the emotional champion asked his team-mates to cut his gloves off before quitting.
“It was my last fight. There’s no way I’m going to come here without my father,” he said. “It was the first time after what happened with my father, when the UFC called me about (fighting) Justin, I talked with my mother for three days”.
Tyson Fury to return to the ring in December.
WBC world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury says he will fight in London on 5 December against an opponent who will be named “very, very soon”. This month the Briton, 32, said he had “moved on” from facing Deontay Wilder for a third time in December and would instead be “coming home” to fight. Fury’s most recent fight was winning the WBC title from Wilder in February following their draw in 2018.
“Can’t wait to get back in the ring and get back to what I do best,” – Fury.
Compatriot Anthony Joshua will attempt to defend his IBF, WBA and WBO world heavyweight titles against Bulgaria’s Kubrat Pulev on 12 December at The O2 in London.
“I would just like to announce that I am definitely fighting December 5 in London, opponent to be announced very, very soon,” Fury said in a video posted on social media.
“Just working on some opponents and will let you all know who it is going to be shortly. Watch this space.”
Fury has not competed in the UK since August 2018, with his last four bouts taking place in the US.
Barcelona lose Classico to Real Madrid amidst VAR controversy.
Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman says the video assistant referee system seems to be “only used to make decisions against Barca” after Sergio Ramos’ penalty helped Real Madrid win El Clasico.
Federico Valverde smashed Real, who had lost their previous two games, into the lead from Karim Benzema’s pass.
Barcelona’s Ansu Fati, 17, levelled from Jordi Alba’s cross, becoming the youngest scorer in El Clasico history.
Ramos scored from the spot and Luka Modric smashed in a late third. The turning point was a lengthy VAR decision for the Ramos penalty. Referee Juan Martínez Munuera did not spot Clement Lenglet’s pull on Ramos’ shirt but eventually gave a penalty after viewing it on the screen.
Barca had two penalty appeals turned down – for a Raphael Varane challenge on Lionel Messi and a possible Varane handball.
“I don’t understand VAR, I think it is only used to make decisions against Barca,” said Koeman, whose side have only picked up seven points from five games.