tag

Sunday, May 31, 2026 | Daily Newspaper published by GPPC Doha, Qatar.

Tag Results for "triumph" (3 articles)

Paris Saint Germain's President Nasser al-Khelaifi lifts the trophy next to players after winning the UEFA Champions League final against Arsenal at the Puskas Arena in Budapest on May 30, 2026. (AFP)
Sport

Grit and patience pay off as PSG find another way to triumph

Paris St Germain equalled the Champions League record for goals scored in one season in the competition as they retained the trophy by edging out Arsenal in a penalty shootout but their triumph was as much about grit as their renowned flair.A year after ‌demolishing Inter Milan 5-0 in Munich with an attacking master class, this time they found ​another way to win despite bashing ‌into a solid red wall in the Puskas Arena."One of the best things we ‌have as a team ⁠is our resilience. We're able ‌to overcome all the problems," PSG manager Luis ‌Enrique, whose side dominated the final which ended 1-1 after extra time, told reporters."Today we showed that even ⁠if Arsenal are the best with a one-goal advantage that we could make it."The PSG of old might have been spooked after falling behind to a Kai Havertz goal after six minutes on Saturday against an Arsenal team that had conceded only six goals and kept a record-equalling nine clean sheets on the way to the final.Especially as the silky interplay and bewildering movement PSG have become known for under Luis Enrique was lacking throughout a frustrating first half in which they barely tested Arsenal goalkeeper ​David Raya despite overwhelming possession.With the likes of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Desire Doue shackled by an oppressive Arsenal side who were content to smother the game, things looked ominous for PSG.They showed patience though, and refused to panic.PSG ended the ‌game with 837 completed passes to Arsenal's ⁠199 and more than ​70% possession.Yet until Kvaratskhelia burst into the box midway through the second half and drew ​a foul from Cristhian Mosquera to earn a penalty, which Ousmane Dembele converted, it looked as though the puzzle set by Mikel Arteta's side would go unsolved.That was PSG's 45th goal in this season's competition, equalling the record of Barcelona in 1999-2000, but this was not a night for expansive flair.The Parisians probed for openings in a scrappy period of extra time without any joy but prevailed 4-3 in the penalty shootout after Arsenal defender Gabriel blazed his kick over.MORE SATISFYING TRIUMPHWhile it lacked the swagger of last year's thrashing of Inter, PSG's triumph against a clinical Arsenal side on a high after claiming their first English title for 22 years was perhaps even more satisfying.It was further proof ‌that Luis Enrique has built a ‌team with resilience at its core and one ⁠that finds ways to win as Real Madrid have so often done in Europe's elite club competition.PSG have ⁠become only the second club, after Real, to ⁠retain the European Cup in the Champions League era and, worrying for their rivals, this young squad will get even better."We have to stay humble," winger Desire Doue said "It's not over yet - the second (star on the jersey) is here - so we're going to keep working hard and go for the third one."His words would have been music to the ears of Luis Enrique who has instilled a tenacious work ethic into a gifted team ​that has dispensed with the big egos who always used to fall short."(The feeling) is stronger than last year because we knew before the match how difficult it would be to play against Arsenal," the Spaniard, who has now won the trophy three times as a coach having also taken Barcelona to the title in 2015. "The final was a real battle."For Arsenal, their dream of lifting the European Cup proved a step too far after a marathon 63-game season in which they won the Premier League title for the first time in 22 years.They will still celebrate with a parade around the streets of North London on Sunday and, ‌once the dust has settled ​and the smoke has cleared, they will be back next season as the team most likely to knock PSG off their perch. 

Formula One F1 - Australian Grand Prix - Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit, Melbourne, Australia - March 5, 2026
McLaren's Oscar Piastri with Lando Norris ahead of the Australian Grand Prix REUTERS/Hollie Adams
Sport

Norris hungrier than ever to defend Formula One world title

Lando Norris said his tense world title triumph last year made him hungrier than ever to win another, with the McLaren ace having no concerns about being the hunted rather than the hunter.The fresh-faced Briton held off teammate Oscar Piastri and Red Bull's Max Verstappen in a thrilling three-way fight that went all the way to the season finale in Abu Dhabi. It made him McLaren's first world champion since Lewis Hamilton secured the first of his seven titles in 2008, with the success also sealing the constructors' crown.Mercedes and Red Bull are seen as the narrow frontrunners ahead of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix this weekend, but Norris is not worried. "I don't think we're starting on the back foot. You know, even if you're second, third or fourth quickest, I don't think that's on the back foot," he said. "I think that's still a very good position to start. And I think in previous years, where it's been harder to improve over the course of a season, we've certainly proved that you could. And I continue to believe that. It's a long, very long season."The 26-year-old began his championship-winning year with victory at Melbourne, crossing the line ahead of Verstappen and Mercedes' George Russell. He had to wait another seven Grand Prix to top the podium again, as Piastri took control before the championship morphed into a three-man battle."I guess one of the big learning things from last year is to not get too frustrated with one bad race, two bad races, bad beginning of a year. It can always come back as long as you keep working hard," said Norris.With his championship on the line, Norris has done more training during the off-season than ever before, conscious that he is now the driver with a target on his back. But the extra pressure has only spurred him on."I'm still just as hungry," he said, with winning the title making him want to experience the euphoria again. "You get that feeling the same as when you win one race, you want another one, For me, it was the same feeling with the championship – that one is amazing, but then you definitely want to achieve two. But honestly, when you get on track you're not either (the hunted or the hunter)," he added. "You certainly don't think 'I'm the hunted now', and something changes." 

Defending champions Germany swept aside El Salvador to qualify for the Round of 32 as group winners.
Sport

Colombia, England and Germany enter last 32

Colombia, England and Germany secured spots in the Round of 32 at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar Monday at the Aspire Zone.South Korea, Switzerland and Venezuela also impressed with wins. Elsewhere, Indonesia made history by recording their first World Cup triumph of any kind, while Brazil struck late to rescue a draw against Zambia.Egypt 0-3 EnglandReigan Heskey’s double powered England into the Round of 32 as they overcame already-qualified Egypt. The Manchester City man fired a thunderous drive home to give his team a first-half lead, before racing forward to slot in and make it 2-0.Heskey had a golden chance to complete his hat-trick, but saw a penalty saved by Omar Abdelaziz, who then miraculously kept out Seth Ridgeon’s follow-up effort. England would grab a third through, with substitute Harrison Miles’ on target to put the result beyond doubt.Venezuela 4-2 HaitiVenezuela completed an unbeaten group stage by fending off a strong challenge from Haiti. Venezuela could not have asked for a better start, as Diego Claut used his chest to redirect in a cross from the left.It quickly became two when John Mancilla converted a penalty after being fouled in the area. The Caribbean side pulled a goal back shortly before intermission on a curling, right-footed shot from Da-Benz Jacquet. Haiti were brimming with belief and evened things up on Woodson Felix’s composed finish from Emerson Laisse’s slick pass. But the final word belonged to Venezuela, with David Garcia slotting home and then scoring a late penalty to secure the points.Switzerland 3-1 MexicoMladen Mijajlovic bagged a brilliant brace as Switzerland sealed top spot in Group F and left Mexico in third. The Swiss opened the scoring with one of the goals of the tournament, Mijajlovic lashing home left-footed from 18 yards at the end of a flowing move. Already rocking, Mexico received another blow when luckless keeper Santiago Lopez diverted an attempted clearance from Felix Contreras into his own net. Aldo De Nigris’ excellent flashing header early in the second half offered fleeting hope of a comeback but Mijajlovic extinguished it from the restart, sliding home clinically to send the Swiss through in style.South Korea 3-1 Cote d'IvoireAlready-qualified South Korea netted three to down Cote d'Ivoire. The Asian heavyweights opened the scoring when Kim Jisung's mishit cross lofted over Christ Kouassi in the Ivorian goal. The Little Elephants, who were eliminated before this match, hit back through a well-worked Allassane Toure strike. Korea Republic wouldn't be denied, though, with Jeong Hyeonung sweeping home just after the break, before Yi Yonghyeon sealed the win from the penalty spot.Colombia 2-0 North KoreaTwo first-half goals proved the difference as Colombia secured their passage to the last 32 versus already-qualified North Korea. Miguel Solarte gave the South Americans the lead as his left-footed effort deflected beyond the despairing dive of Kim Jong-hun. They tightened their grip on proceedings soon after, as Santiago Londono raced through and was felled by the goalkeeper. The striker dusted himself down and powered home the spot-kick to secure all three points.El Salvador 0-7 GermanyDefending champions Germany swept aside El Salvador to qualify for the Round of 32 as group winners. Clinical finishes from Jeremiah Mensah and Alexander Staff put them in control, before Wisdom Mike’s superb turn-and-finish made it 3-0 by half-time. They got their fourth soon after the break when Andrew Reyes deflected the ball into his own goal, before strikes from Mensah, Lasse Eickel and Christian Prenaj wrapped up the scoring.Honduras 1-2 IndonesiaA wonderful Fadly Alberto strike saw Indonesia claim victory over Honduras. It is the first World Cup victory of any kind for Indonesia. Two penalties brought the game to life, with Evandra Florasta putting Indonesia ahead, only for Luis Suazo to reply with a spot-kick of his own almost instantly. Both sides hunted for a winner and it was the Garuda who found it, with Alberto bringing the ball down outside the area, setting himself and rifling in a stunning half-volley. The result keeps Indonesia's faint hopes of qualifying alive, while Honduras are eliminated.Zambia 1-1 BrazilBrazil needed a late leveller to peg back Zambia and secure top spot in Group H, with the African side forced to settle for second. Jonathan Kalimina scored an audacious Olimpico as his low first-half corner evaded defender Arthur Ryan at the near post and left goalkeeper Joao Pedro stranded. But the South Americans pressed hard for an equaliser and eventually found one as Angelo’s cross evaded the previously excellent Christo Chitambala and allowed Dell to nod home.