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    F1 Sakhir Grand Prix qualifying LIVE: Bottas on pole ahead of Russell with Verstappen third for Sunday’s race

    THE SAKHIR GRAND PRIX is taking place this weekend – but there’s no Lewis Hamilton.
    The reigning champion has tested positive for coronavirus and been replaced by fellow Brit George Russell for Mercedes.
    Qualifying time: Saturday, 5pm
    Race time: Sunday, 5.15pm

    Follow ALL of the latest updates below…

    TIME FOR TIMES
    Here’s how the entire pack shook down today.

    DAN THE MAN
    Daniil Kvyat is sixth and tells Sky Sport ‘I liked it’.
    The Alpha Tauri ace calls his ‘consistent’ run the ‘best qualifying of the year for me’.
    Like Sergio Perez, he predicts a ‘big train’ on the track tomorrow.

    PEREZ FIFTH
    Sergio Perez telling Sky Sports about the ‘unknowns’ drivers face tomorrow.
    With it ‘difficult to overtake’ he is prioritising ‘making it to the end’ after his late heartbreak last time out.
    He starts fifth.

    THUMBS UP
    George Russell looks happy with his qualifying.
    He has been in superb form on Saturdays for Williams so tomorrow is going to be very interesting for the young Brit.

    Credit: Getty Images – Getty

    CHARLES CHUFFED
    Ferrari have a car on fourth tomorrow and Charles Leclerc is delighted with his performance talking to Sky Sports.
    Having just one set of Softs for Q3, he wanted to go early in case traffic was a ‘mess’ and to ‘get out on track and do the job’.
    He says he ‘couldn’t have done anything better’ – and he’s probably right.

    ROMAIN RETURNS
    An aside from qualy – here is Romain Grosjean getting reacquainted with his Haas.
    The Frenchman is still keen to race in next week’s Abu Dhabi GP as he recovers from hand and foot injuries.

    VERSTAPPEN OPTIMISTIC
    Max Verstappen wants Red Bull to have ‘a bit of fun’ tomorrow with ‘nothing to lose’.
    He promises an ‘interesting’ race with Red Bull ‘a bit closer than normal’.

    MERCS DOMINATE
    George Russell saying he hasn’t started a race without any drivers in front of him off the grid ‘for a long long time’.

    RUSSELL STILL LEARNING
    The man in P2 describes the ‘incredibly intense’ session and the ‘alien’ feel he has had in the Merc.
    But he is ‘very pleased’ to get so close to Valtteri Bottas.

    ‘NOT MY BEST’
    Valtteri Bottas a tad disappointed with is run – which he calls ‘not his best’ qualifying.

    REST OF THE PACK
    An intriguing grid will line up with Sergio Perez fifth and another man soon to be out of F1, Daniil Kvyat, sixth.
    Daniel Ricciardo is seventh before Carlos Sainz, Pierre Gasly and Lance Stroll.

    Q3 COMPLETE
    Valtteri Bottas muted in his celebrations as he exits the car, knowing he will have two very talented young drivers on his backside tomorrow evening.
    George Russell with a great performance in second and Max Verstappen wondering what might have been in third.
    Charles Leclerc arguably the driver of the day as he clocks fourth.

    BOTTAS P1
    That was mighty, mighty close!
    Just 0.056 seconds from first to third, where Max Verstappen will start.
    ‘Nice to be on pole’ says a droll Valtteri Bottas over radio.

    Q3: RUSSELL SECOND, BOTTAS POLE!
    George Russell is 0.026 seconds off Valtteri Bottas who takes pole!

    Q3: TIME’S UP
    Valtteri Bottas cannot improve!

    Q3: NOT GREAT FROM THE MERCS
    Neither man can improve their Sector 1 times…

    Q3: 1 MIN TO GO
    The Mercs are again first out so we will get their times first in just over a minute.
    Valtteri Bottas could give George Russell a tow, with Max Verstappen on the Brit’s tail.

    Q3: HERE WE GO
    The final runs of the day are underway…
    Valtteri Bottas leads George Russell, Max Verstappen, the finished Charles Leclerc and Sergio Perez in the fight for pole.

    Q3: FERRARI FINISHED
    Charles Leclerc looks to be done with his only fresh Softs used up – he sits fourth as things stand.

    Q3: 3 MINS TO GO
    The pack is back in the pits now.
    Daniil Kvyat and Pierre Gasly bringing up the rear with Lance Stroll eighth, Carlos Sainz seventh and Daniel Ricciardo sixth.

    Q3: BOTTAS TAKES P1
    Okay, there we go.
    Valtteri Bottas goes top by 0.2 seconds ahead of Max Verstappen.
    George Russell is a blink behind to shove the Dutchman off the front row.

    Q3: MERCS GO AGAIN
    The Mercedes probably did that run on used tyres as they are heading out again immediately.
    That will mean two hot laps each on fresh Softs.

    Q3: 7 MINS TO GO
    Don’t forget Sergio Perez…
    The Racing Point cannot match Max Verstappen though and is 0.2 seconds back in fourth.
    Lance Stroll goes eighth.

    Q3: LECLERC SECOND
    That is a surprise – Charles Leclerc puts his Ferrari second!
    Just 0.022 seconds separate the front two.
    George Russell is 0.381 back in fourth…

    Q3: FIRST POINT TO MAX
    A 53.760 from Valtteri Bottas isn’t enough!
    Max Verstappen is just under two-tenths quicker to take provisional pole…

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    Sevilla vs Real Madrid LIVE: Stream, score, TV channel, team news, kick-off time for La Liga clash

    REAL MADRID are up against steely side Sevilla next in their La Liga exploits.
    Real sit just a point above Sevilla in the table in fourth place so their clash is finely-poised.
    Kick-off: 3.15pm GMT
    TV/ live stream: Premier Sports
    Sevilla: Bono, Navas, Kounde, Diego Carlos, Vidal, Jordan, Fernando, Rakitic, Ocampos, Munir, De Jong.
    Real Madrid: Courtois, Lucas, Varane, Nacho, Mendy, Casemiro, Modric, Kroos, Rodrygo, Vinicius Jr, Benzema.

    Follow ALL of the latest updates below…

    HT SEVILLA 0-0 REAL MADRID
    A lively first half from both sides at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan with Real Madrid holding the edge.
    Real came close to opening the score twice with Vinicius Junior in the early minutes of the game but the Brazilian missed the mark.
    Karim Benzema also came close to giving Los Blancos the lead but Bono just managed to save the Frenchman’s shot with his finger tips.
    Sevilla didn’t manage to get a big chance on goal but are closing spaces for the visitors and are moving the ball dangerously with Jesus Navas and Aleix Vidal.
    Hopefully we will see goals in the second half shortly

    PEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!
    THAT’S HALF-TIME IN SEVILLE!

    SEVILLA 0-0 REAL MADRID
    45 Referee gives one minute of stoppage time, is it enough for a late goal before half-time?

    SEVILLA 0-0 REAL MADRID
    44 YELLOW CARD
    Toni Kroos picks up the first yellow card of the match after his foul on Lucas Ocampos.
    Kroos fails to win the ball from Ocampos and brings him down with a push right before the Sevilla man could run away with the ball.

    SEVILLA 0-0 REAL MADRID
    41 Munir El Haddadi delivers a corner kick in the middle of Real Madrid’s box but Thibaut Courtois gets to the ball first.
    Sevilla won that corner kick after Karim Benzema carelessly kicked the ball back

    SEVILLA 0-0 REAL MADRID
    40 Luuk de Jong chests the ball down inside Real Madrid’s box and fires a shot that misses wildly.
    Both Real and Sevilla are getting livelier as we close in on half-time

    SEVILLA 0-0 REAL MADRID
    37 CHANCE!
    Real Madrid comes so close to an opening goal with Karim Benzema.
    Lucas Vazquez’s beautiful run finds Vinicius Junior who thinks fast and lets the ball roll on to Benzema.
    The star striker finds space and fires a powerful shot on Bono’s left angle but the Sevilla keeper saves it with his finger tips

    SEVILLA 0-0 REAL MADRID
    34 Real Madrid are still dominating possession but are struggling to make much of it.
    Sevilla are closing spaces, especially on the flanks which is where Los Blancos prefer to attack from.
    Almost 10 minutes left for half-time and we still have no score in this stalemate

    GETTY IMAGES – GETTY

    SEVILLA 0-0 REAL MADRID
    31 Sevilla win a free-kick from a good position following a foul by Rodrygo on Munir El Haddadi.
    Real Madrid clear the set-piece but the ball reaches Jesus Navas on the right flank.
    Navas’ cross, though, misses Luuk de Jong and Real’s defenders have no problem clearing it away

    SEVILLA 0-0 REAL MADRID
    29 Sevilla boss Julen Lopetegui appears to have figured out Real Madrid’s play.
    The hosts’ defence is applying pressure on the flanks which is where Real prefer to attack from.
    Lopetegui is greatly dependant on runs by Navas and Aleix Vidal when they move the ball forward

    SEVILLA 0-0 REAL MADRID
    25 Real Madrid move forward with Vinicius Junior who finds Karim Benzema completely unmarked in the left flank.
    Benzema has a lot of space but his pass to Rodrygo misses wildly and goes out for a goal kick

    SEVILLA 0-0 REAL MADRID
    20 CHANCE!
    Toni Kroos fires a beautiful shot but the ball just misses Bono’s goal.
    Real are still pressing high and are attacking from the flanks as they look for a quick goal that will put them in control of the game.
    Manager Zinedine Zidane needs a win as the stat below suggests:

    3 – Real Madrid are winless in their last three LaLiga games (D1 L2), they’ve never failed to win in four consecutive games in the competition under Zinedine Zidane. Defiance. pic.twitter.com/XMtxONbOs3
    — OptaJose (@OptaJose) December 5, 2020

    SEVILLA 0-0 REAL MADRID
    15 Real Madrid get a foul in a good position at the left wing after Rodrygo was brought down.
    Toni Kroos, who is playing with a tiny cut on his left cheek, takes the shot but Bono clears it

    SEVILLA 0-0 REAL MADRID
    11 A beautiful cross from the right just misses Joan Jordan who came inches away from firing the ball at Thibaut Courtois.
    The hosts created the chance after Vinicius Junior gave the ball away for a throw-in at a dangerous position.
    First chance for Sevilla

    SEVILLA 0-0 REAL MADRID
    7. Real Madrid are pressing high up on the pitch and that leads to mistakes in Sevilla’s defence.
    Real’s start makes sense as manager Zinedine Zidane is facing immense pressure following a raft of bad results.
    The visitors need a result and are showing some serious intent.
    But can they keep it up?

    SEVILLA 0-0 REAL MADRID
    4 Real Madrid are dominating possession in the opening minutes following Vinicius Junior’s chance.
    Casemiro fired another shot outside of the box but missed wildly.
    Bono is facing some problems as Real are pressing for a quick goal

    SEVILLA 0-0 REAL MADRID
    1 So close! Sevilla kicked things off but lost the ball in midfield to Real Madrid opposition.
    Vinicius Junior picked the ball up in the right wing and fired a shot from a difficult angle.
    The ball just missed Bono’s right post and went out for a goal kick.
    Strong start for Real Madrid, who need a win today

    PEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!
    OFF WE GO!

    HERE COME THE TEAMS!
    Real Madrid and Sevilla are set for action at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.
    Real are led out by Karim Benzema as the visitors will be missing their captain Sergio Ramos, who won’t be facing his former club due to injury.
    Former Manchester City star Jesus Navas will captain Sevilla in this crucial encounter.

    VIEW FROM SEVILLE
    It’s a beautiful day in Seville but the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan stadium is going to be empty due to the coronavirus pandemic.
    Hopefully that image will change soon…

    GETTY IMAGES – GETTY

    REAL FORMATION
    We can confirm that Real Madrid will play with a 4-3-3 formation as predicted below.
    Thibaut Courtois in goal, Lucas Vazquez and Ferland Mendy at full-back, Nacho and Raphael Varane at centre-back.
    Toni Kroos, Luka Modric and Casemiro reunite in midfield after Real’s shock loss to Shakhtar Donetsk.
    Karim Benzema leads the line with Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo

    SEVILLA HERO
    Sevilla recently said goodbye to one of the biggest names to ever wear their shirt throughout the club’s history, and that was none other than Diego Maradona.
    Maradona, one of the greatest legends in football history, died last week on Wednesday from a heart attack in Argentina at the age of 60.
    The Argentina hero joined Sevilla in 1992 following a glittering seven-year stint at Napoli where he scored a total of 115 goals in 259 matches across all competitions.
    Maradona couldn’t replicate the same form in Seville as he was nearing the twilight of his career and thus only managed five goals in 26 matches before leaving in 1993 for Newell’s Old Boys.

    GETTY IMAGES – GETTY

    TOP DANGER
    Karim Benzema poses as Real Madrid’s biggest danger… And he likes to score against Sevilla.
    Benzema is Real’s top scorer in La Liga so far this season with four goals in eight matches.
    And the star striker has quite a record against Sevilla having amassed nine goals and 10 assists across all competitions against the Andalusians throughout his 11-year stint in Madrid.
    The France international is closing in on legendary status at Real having scored a total of 255 goals in 525 matches for the Spanish giants.
    And Benzema is now after a historic record as he is only 12 goals away from overtaking the legendary Alfredo di Stefano as the club’s all-time third top goalscorer.

    GETTY IMAGES – GETTY

    HAZARD-OUS SITUATION
    Eden Hazard (remember him?) is set to miss another game for Real Madrid as his injury hell continues.
    Hazard has struggled with injury and fitness issues since he moved to Real from Chelsea for £130million last year.
    The star forward has been ruled out for the rest of the year after he ruptured his hamstring during Los Blancos’ shock 2-1 defeat to Alaves at the Santiago Bernabeu last week.
    That is yet another blow for the Belgium international who has been plagued by set-backs ever since his arrival in Madrid where he has missed a whopping 35 games for Zinedine Zidane’s side.
    Hazard has so far failed to fill in the major void left behind by Cristiano Ronaldo as he has amassed a mere total of three goals and seven assists in 28 matches across all competitions.

    GETTY IMAGES – GETTY

    SEVILLA STATS
    Sevilla are fifth in the La Liga table with only one point separating them from today’s opponents Real Madrid in fourth place.
    The Andalusians have won five out of their nine league matches this season and have lost three times.
    Julen Lopetegui’s men will look for a major return to winning ways following Wednesday’s devastating defeat to Chelsea at home.
    The Blues thrashed the Europa League winners with a 4-0 score thanks to a masterclass performance by Olivier Giroud, who scored all of the visitors’ goals.

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    Billy Joe Saunders vs Martin Murray LIVE RESULTS: Saunders RETAINS crown by unanimous decision – latest reaction

    BILLY JOE SAUNDERS has retained his WBO super-middleweight crown after a dominating win over Martin Murray at Wembley Arena.
    Follow all the reaction with our live blog below…
    Live results
    Billy Joe Saunders BEATS Martin Murray (points – unanimous decision)
    James Tennyson BEATS Josh O’Reilly (TKO 1st round)
    Shannon Courtenay BEATS Dorota Norek (TKO 7th round)
    Donte Dixon BEATS Angelo Dragone (points)
    Lerrone Richards BEATS Timo Laine (points)
    Lewis Edmondson BEATS John Telford (TKO 3rd round)

    GRIEVING Billy Joe Saunders edged Martin Murray toward retirement with another defence of his WBO super-middleweight title.
    The 31-year-old champ lost uncle Tom Beaney in the build-up to the all-English Wembley Arena clash and had his name emblazoned on his kit.

    NINTCHDBPICT000623874166Credit: ©Mark Robinson Ltd
    And he did him proud with the 30th win of his career – showing moments of supreme skill and dogged heart – to see off the 38-year-old warhorse, who now has five failed world title bids on his impressive CV.
    The southpaw was too fresh, slick and accurate for the St Helens hard man but not powerful enough to stop the respected veteran.
    The three judges got to watch a masterclass from Saunders, scoring it 120-109, 120-109 and 118-110 and he can now return to chasing down career-defining fights with Canelo Alvarez and Gennady Golovkin.
    He said: “I have been out for over a year and it was like boxing in a cemetery because I like to box for a crowd.
    “I tried to set a rhythm but he is a clever old fox so I can not shout people’s names out on that performance.”
    Both men prodded and poked with their jabs in the opener, a straight left hand to Murray’s body was probably the best shot of the round from Saunders.  Murray landed a right hand in the second but it only thumped into the Hatfields man’s chest.

    NINTCHDBPICT000623871622Credit: ©Mark Robinson Ltd
    Saunders threw more combinations in his fluorescent yellow gloves but the veteran’s guard was high and tight and caught most of them. By the third it was clear Murray was looking to break Saunders’ body, especially off of Saunders’ southpaw jab.
    But Saunders twice landed a lead right uppercut that had his few fans clapping in the darkness of the arena.
    Murray was down in the fourth, he was definitely hurt after two one-twos, but referee Phil Edwards called it a slip. Saunders was sliding up the gears and slashing through Murray’s defence with laser-like blows.
    Saunders hadn’t enjoyed a high-level opponent or performance since bamboozling David Lemieux in 2017 but he didn’t show a shred of ring rust.
    It was becoming positively one-sided in the fifth when Murray’s big heart and hard chin were the only things keeping him in it.
    Both warring Brits were warned for head butting and trash talking in the sixth and Murray did look alive with a right-hook counter that scored and a jab at the start of the seventh jutted Saunders’ head back

    NINTCHDBPICT000623873261Credit: ©Dave Thompson/Route One Ltd
    Trainer Mark Tibbs told Saunders to take the tenth off, after some gruelling clashes and clinches but he landed with a brilliant head-to-body combination.
    Saunders had gone three years without an elite opponent and performance but he showed no ringrust as Murray’s resilience provided the perfect platform to showcase his punches and movement.
    The proud Traveller won the fight with a piston-like jab and a screw-shot uppercut, taking every single round on two of the cards.
    Gutted Murray admitted he lost to a better man and refused to confirm his retirement as he looked forward to racing home to his family.

    MURRAY HAS HIS SAY
    Murray says he was ‘beat by the better man’ and describes Saunders as a ‘quality fighter’.
    He goes on to say he came out of retirement two years ago as he knew he would get one more title shot.
    Murray says he wants to spend time with his family now, and will make a retirement decision afterwards.

    BIG HEARNER
    Promoter Eddie Hearn says it was a ‘great performance’.
    He reveals Saunders was a day away from announcing a fight with Canelo coronavirus forced it to fall by the wayside.
    Hearn says BJS has to fight an elite opponent to truly show off his talent.

    AND STILL
    Saunders describes Murray as a ‘cunning old fox’ and credits his defence.
    The unbeaten champion admits he needed the rounds going into the New Year having had a year off.
    Saunders wants to stay in the gym and keep himself prepared and wants the ‘big names’ like Canelo, Callum Smith and Demetrius Andrade.

    SAUNDERS WINS
    Judges score the bout 120-109 (x2) and 118-110 with Saunders retaining his title by unanimous decision.
    He can now look ahead to the mega-fight between Canelo and Callum Smith this month.
    Facing the winner would promise a WBO and WBA unification bout…

    ALL OVER
    After 12, fairly one-sided rounds, Saunders and Murray go to the scorecards.
    BJS in charge throughout but didn’t really look to close the show – possibly wanted to get the rounds in.
    He should retain his WBO super-middleweight title wide on the scorecards.

    ROUND 12
    The 12th and final round here – and it’s been all Billy Joe Saunders here.
    Saunders enjoying the last stanza, hands down, walking forward and letting his hands go.
    Murray caught in the corner again, defends well but dominant work from the champion.

    ROUND 11
    Saunders clips Murray with a one-two. Just misses with a massive left uppercut.
    Beautiful left body shot lands for the champion, then snaps Murray’s head back with a short shot on the inside.
    Murray looking to tie BJS up now, just to avoid the speed coming his way.

    ROUND TEN
    Saunders slips to the outside and lands with a beautiful lead uppercut – a shot that has repeatedly worked this fight.
    Combination to head and body lands for BJS – slick stuff here.
    Saunders finishes the round on top – but hasn’t yet stunned Murray.

    ROUND NINE
    Saunders is showing off really educated pressure here, edging forward with little step and letting his left hand go.
    Murray is busier than was the case in earlier rounds but nothing worrying the champ.
    Saunders traps Murray into the corner, lands some nice body shots but the challenger covering up well.

    ROUND EIGHT
    Lovely sweeping uppercut lands near the end of the bell.
    Murray coming forward better in that round, looking to work the body but it puts him in position to be countered walking onto a shot.
    Into round nine we go…

    ROUND EIGHT
    Saunders throws three consecutive one-two combinations.
    Murray coming forward more and the pair come to blows on the inside.
    Saunders lands a low blow and Murray takes his time to recover.

    ROUND SEVEN
    Saunders catches Murray with a slick one-two down the middle.
    Murray responds with his own – but it’s proven a rarity throughout the opening half.
    Right hook followed by a left lands for BJS, but the round finishes with a bit of clinching and holding – Saunders warned he could have a point taken!

    ROUND SIX
    Saunders dances around the ring, comes into range and fires off a combination.
    Murray’s defence is smart and tight, but he’s struggling to get any sort of offence going.
    Few sneaky body shots lands for Murray, but BJS gets back to boxing at range and scores.

    ROUND FIVE
    Big shots land with Murray on the ropes, Saunders is hitting hard here.
    BJS takes his foot off the gas a bit as he looked to have Murray hurt in the opening stages.
    Saunders lets his hands go towards the end of the round, all the challenger can do it cover up.

    ROUND FOUR
    Saunders hammers home some shots with Murray on the ropes.
    The challenger tries to hold but finds himself on the floor – ref calls no knockdown.
    Best round for Saunders, completely on top.

    ROUND FOUR
    Saunders’ jab piercing through Murray’s guard – been the difference so far.
    Big one-two lands down the middle, speed and accuracy on show for the champion.
    Murray is coming forward more but BJS is proving the on top fighter.

    ROUND THREE
    Saunders lets his hands go but Murray blocks them.
    Another big uppercut through the middle lands for the champion.
    Murray comes forward towards the end of the round but BJS fires back, in control here.

    ROUND THREE
    Big left uppercut finds home for Saunders, Murray had landed some body shots before that.
    BJS with the best punch of the fight so far…

    ROUND TWO
    Saunders is getting off his jab well early. Shooting the odd left hand down to the torso.
    Murray looks one step behind BJS, can’t catch or counter what’s coming at him.
    Saunders lets his hands go and moves off to the side, eye-catching stuff.

    ROUND ONE
    Saunders starts on the front foot, stabbing the southpaw jab out to head and body.
    Little left to the body lands for BJS.
    Murray struggling to get anything off here, Saunders lets his hands go showing off quick speed.

    ROUND ONE
    Here we go!
    Murray has it all to do here – surely his last chance to end out his career with a world title.

    THE CHAMP IS HERE
    Billy Joe Saunders now making his way to the ring.
    He has not fought since last November on the undercard of KSI’s win over Logan Paul.
    BJS says he’ll get past Martin Murray and look to face the winner between Callum Smith and Canelo Alvarez.

    UP NEXT
    Martin Murray gets his FIFTH world title shot now.
    He is walking to the ring ahead of his WBO super-middleweight title fight.

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    F1 Sakhir Grand Prix practice LIVE: Russell FASTEST in P1, Bottas and Albon struggle – latest updates, results

    THE SAKHIR GRAND PRIX is taking place this weekend.
    Lewis Hamilton has tested positive for coronavirus and has been replaced by fellow Brit George Russell for Mercedes.
    Practice 2 start time: 5.30pm GMT

    Follow ALL of the latest updates below…

    RUSSELL QUICKEST – BRIT IMPRESSES ON MERC DEBUT
    George Russell finishes P1 in his first session for Mercedes having stepped in for Lewis Hamilton, who will miss this weekend after testing positive for Covid.Max Verstappen in P2 while his Red Bull teammate, Alex Albon is third quickest.Valtteri Bottas had a miserable session and was in P4 and now under pressure from Russell.

    BOTTAS BACK ON TRACK
    But he does not look happy on track. He is locking up and running wide. He is making too many mistakes given his experience in that car.

    THESE TIMES ARE TUMBLING
    This is going to be a very quick lap for qualifying. Russell in P1 with a 54.546secs.But just as the these cars are picking up speed, there are mistakes for Bottas and Albon, who lose control but both avoid making contact with the barriers.

    VERSTAPPEN NOW IN P1 BUT….
    He has a steering wheel issue. He says the positioning has changed mid-lap. That will be a concern.28 minutes to go and it is Verstappen, Kvyat, Russell and Bottas.

    BOTTAS MUCKS UP HIS LAPS
    Just the opposite to what he needed. He sees Russell go quickest and then stuffs up his own flying laps.He is under pressure now from the Brit. If he is beaten by him on Sunday, his whole career will be questioned.

    RUSSELL IS QUICKER THAN BOTTAS
    It is still early days but Russell has gone to the top of the time sheets and beating teammate Valtteri Bottas, that is going to sting the Finn.

    ALMOST DARK IN THE DESERT

    FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF THIS TRACK
    It is remarkably bumpy in parts, and a very, very short lap. Qualifying is going to be very interesting and perhaps, very messy.
    Short lap and high speeds will be a concern, factor in the bumps too and it could be very tricky for the drivers to control.

    TRACK IS EMPTY
    Not a single driver on the surface. Tyre changes and bodywork tweaks being done in the garages.

    BOTTAS AND VERSTAPPEN HEAD THE TIMESHEETS
    No surprise at the top as Bottas and Verstappen sit in P1 and P2, the Dutchman is reporting that he has brake problems and Red Bull have called him into the pits for a check.

    GOOD TO SEE A BRAZILIAN BACK IN F1

    RUSSELL NOW IMPROVING ON HIS TIME
    He is now lapping at 1.002 his next run should be sub-one minute. Aitkin in P18 and Fittipaldi in P19.

    RUSSELL IS OUT ON TRACK
    The Brit has a straightforward programme for this run. He has been given time to acclimatise to the new car and the new track. He’s currently gone P6 with his first run in the car. All ok so far.

    SUN SETTING IN SAKHIR

    F1 RECORDS SET TO TUMBLE
    This Outer track at the Bahrain International Circuit is very short and we are expected to see the quickest laps in F1 history. Already, Carlos Sainz has a lap on the board that took just 56.631 seconds.

    ALSO DEBUTS FOR FITTIPALDI AND AITKEN
    Pietro Fittipaldi is replacing Romain Grosjean, who is recovering from his injuries following his fiery smash last week. The American-born Brazilian is driving for the Haas team.And Jack Aitken is filling in for George Russell at Williams. The Brit is the team’s reserve driver.

    FP1 FOR THE SAKHIR GP IS GO
    All eyes on George Russell in this session. His first run in Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes. He has a excellent chance of earning his first points in F1 this weekend…In fact, he could win it!

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    Arsenal 4 Rapid Vienna 1 LIVE REACTION: Gunners celebrate return of fans to Emirates with emphatic Europa League victory

    ARSENAL welcomed fans back to the Emirates in style as goals from Lacazette, Mori, Smith Rowe and Nketiah gave them an emphatic win over Rapid Vienna.
    Final score: Arsenal 4-1 Rapid Vienna
    Follow ALL the action with our live blog below…

    THAT’S ALL FOR TONIGHT!
    Arsenal are through to the last 32 of the Europa League after thrashing Rapid Vienna 4-1.
    The win secures the Gunners as group winners.
    Next up for Mikel Arteta’s side is a vital north London derby at Tottenham on Sunday.
    Join us on SunSport for more live blogs this coming weekend, there’s plenty of action as the Premier League starts to enter it’s busy Christmas period.
    Goodnight!

    ARTETA ON SUNDAY’S GAME
    “We’ve been really consistent in this competition I think the boys showed great energy, character and aggression today. Right from the beginning you could feel that they were touched from the last defeat and everybody individually played a really good game. Again we were in the final third really aggressive with the ball. We created many chances for goals and probably should have scored more. Now, let’s take that into Sunday a very special game, we’re all looking forward to it and let’s do it again.”

    ARSENAL TOUCH MAP

    ARTETA ON THE ADVANTAGE CREATED BY HOME FANS
    “This sport without fans is completely different. The players lose a bit of purpose and emotion. We are here to entertain and make the fans enjoy. When they are able to transmit that it gets directly to the players.”

    MAITLAND-NILES ON THE RETURN OF FANS
    “We’ve waited a long time and it’s a great feeling to have them back. That atmosphere and those fans are our 12th man.”

    ARTETA ON FANS BEING BACK
    “Very special and delighted to have them back. They made a very big contribution. We had 2,000 but it felt like a lot more.”

    ARTETA ON LACAZETTE
    “He’s played a good game in that position. It suits him. He’s really good at linking play, he worked hard and scored a beautiful goal.”

    REACTION FROM ARTETA
    “Delighted to have the fans back, they make a huge difference. The performance was very positive right from the start. The boys showed the attitude and desire that is required to play. We created many chances and now we must do it again on Sunday.”

    Match summaryArsenal win
    Group B after Rapid win
    Lacazette stunner opens scoring
    Pablo Marí gets second, Nketiah third
    Smith Rowe fourth after Kitagawa goal

    CALUM CHAMBERS MADE HIS RETURN TONIGHT

    A GREAT NIGHT FOR SMITH ROWE

    RAPID VIENNA HEAT MAP

    ARSENAL HEAT MAP

    AVERAGE POSITIONS OF BOTH SIDES

    ACTION AREAS

    THE GROUP B TABLE

    LACAZETTE GAVE THE GUNNERS THE LEAD

    PABLO MARI CELERBATES AFTER SCORING ON HIS RETURN

    A TREAT FOR THE FANS IN ATTENDANCE

    ARESNL HAVE BEEN FLAWLESS IN THE EUROPA LEAGUE

    FULL TIME

    FT: ARSENAL 4-1 RAPID VIENNA

    PEEEEEEEP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    FULL TIME

    ARSENAL 4-1 RAPID VIENNA
    91. Arsenal still on the attack and toying with Rapid at this stage, Cellabos crosses from the right to Balogun who volleys wide.

    ARSENAL 4-1 RAPID VIENNA
    90. There will be three minutes of added time.

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    LASK 3 Tottenham 3 LIVE REACTION: Son, Alli and Bale net but Spurs denied Europa League victory by late leveller

    TOTTENHAM wrapped up qualification to the Europa League knockout stage despite a late LASK leveller .
    Final score: LASK 3-3 Tottenham
    Follow ALL of the latest updates below…

    THAT’S A WRAP
    Thanks for joining us this evening, the draw means Spurs have secured their spot in the next round.
    Here’s our match report, courtesy of Paul Jiggins.
    Over and out!

    TABLE MANNERS
    Tottenham are in second spot in their group after tonight’s draw.

    LATE LATE DRAMA
    Here’s the point-stealing goal from Karamoko.

    That’s a top finish! 👌Despite Dele Alli’s late penalty, Mamoudou Karamoko has rescued a point for LASK 🎯Nothing Joe Hart could do about that one! pic.twitter.com/PF7M2AFLNm
    — Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) December 3, 2020

    POINT APIECE
    Well that game didn’t feel like a 3-3 game- it was so bitty and disjointed, but here we are!
    A draw guarantees Spurs qualification.
    Jose Mourinho is unlikely to be a happy chappy in his post-match interview.

    FT: LASK 3-3 TOTTENHAM 

    LASK 3-3 TOTTENHAM 
    93. Karamoko pops up at the top of the D and is given far too much space as Tottenham’s defence back off.
    He takes his time before bending an absolutely beautiful shot into the top right-hand corner.

    GOOOOAL
    IT’S A VERY GOOD GOAL AND A VERY GOOD END TO THE GAME

    LASK 2-3 TOTTENHAM 
    90. Four additional minutes, can we expect anything else?!

    LASK 2-3 TOTTENHAM 
    88. Well it’s all go now after a fairly uneventful game!

    LASK 2-3 TOTTENHAM 
    86. Dele Alli fires a penalty home to gift Spurs the lead again.
    Wiesinger caught Bergwijn in the box and brought him to the floor with a nudge in the back – he sees yellow for the challenge.

    DRAMA, SPURS HAVE A PEN THE OTHER END!

    LASK 2-2 TOTTENHAM 
    84. Eggestein manages to squeeze his way between all three of Tottenham’s centre backs.
    He fires it hard forcing it to dip just before it reaches the goal and Hart’s hand sends it further into the goal.

    GOOOOAL
    LASK ARE LASHED LEVEL BY EGGESTEIN

    LASK 1-2 TOTTENHAM 
    81. Full use of subs for Tottenham;
    Dele Alli and Aurier replace Bale and Son.

    LASK 1-2 TOTTENHAM 
    80. Bale looks to slide the ball to Son, but he miskicks it and it’s intercepted by Eggestein.

    LASK 1-2 TOTTENHAM 
    78. Ref shows Karamoko a yellow for whacking Holbjerg in the face with a flailing arm.

    LASK 1-2 TOTTENHAM 
    We feel ya Jose!
    Not the best night in the office for Spurs..

    LASK 1-2 TOTTENHAM 
    74.Son’s night will surely be over soon?
    I say that as we know Jose will have one eye firmly on the north London derby this weekend.

    LASK 1-2 TOTTENHAM 
    72. Hart sends the ball long again- Spurs have hardly played out from the back this evening.

    LASK 1-2 TOTTENHAM 
    71. Third substitution for Tottenham; Lo Celso is replaced by Dier.

    LASK 1-2 TOTTENHAM 
    69. After a spell of possession, particularly in and around Tottenham’s box, Karamoko spins and strikes the ball from the D.
    But he scuffs the ball and it rolls just wide of the left post.

    LASK 1-2 TOTTENHAM 
    67. LASK respond to Tottenham’s subs by making too of their own.
    Goiginger is replaced by Karamoko, while Reiter replaces Gruber.

    LASK 1-2 TOTTENHAM 
    66. Bale’s penalty was his 200th goal for club and country- it really should have been 201 after that huge chance moments ago…

    LASK 1-2 TOTTENHAM 
    65. Double substitution for Spurs; Moura is replaced by Sissoko while Bergwijn replaces Ndombele.

    LASK 1-2 TOTTENHAM 
    63. Spurs looked as though they were certain to score!
    From the counter, Bale is fed in well on the right of the box and races towards goal.
    Instead of slotting it in beyond an outstretched keeper, he squares the ball to Son across the six-yard area, but the pass his behind Son and the ball ends up rolling out the opposite side of the box.

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    Man Utd 1 PSG 3 LIVE REACTION: Fred sent off as Neymar and Marquinhos sink ten-man Red Devils to throw Group H wide open

    NEYMAR and Marquinhos were on target for PSG as ten-man Manchester United were sunk at Old Trafford.
    Final score: Man Utd 1-3 PSG
    Follow ALL the action with our blog below…

    GOODNIGHT
    A great game between two very good football teams.
    Manchester United just came up a short in the end as Neymar showed the good side to his play when it really mattered.
    Group H is still in the balance with the top three all sat on nine points.
    United travel to Leipzig next week knowing they only need a point to qualify.
    It wouldn’t be Man United if it was easy, would it?
    See you next week, goodnight!

    SOME IMPRESSIVE NUMBERS

    BIG. GAME. PLAYER.🇧🇷 Neymar has now scored 38 goals in 64 Champions League games ⚽️⚽️#UCL
    — UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) December 2, 2020

    POOR EUROPA LEAGUE, WHAT’S IT EVER DONE TO YOU?

    Neymar to Eleven Sports PT: “I didn’t come to PSG to play in the Europa League.”
    — Get French Football News (@GFFN) December 2, 2020

    OLE REACTION
    Ole Gunnar Solksjaer said he will go into next week’s crunch Leipzig tie looking to win the game.
    United only need a point to qualify to the last 16 from Group H.
    He also admitted Fred was lucky to stay on the park after his first-half headbutt.
    Speaking after the game, he said: “It was a very good game of football, which deserved fans first of all.
    “When you see the team sheets you think ‘there might be goals in this game”.
    When quizzed on the Fred incident in the first half he admitted his midfielder was lucky to stay on the park, but was frustrated with the second yellow.
    He added: “Fred shouldn’t put his head towards him. I don’t think he touched him though.
    “But you still don’t do that so he is lucky, yes. It is either nothing or a red card.

    Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
    “I thought maybe he was bit lucky to stay on after the referee decided to give him something.
    “Fred was playing very well and we talked about staying calm and staying on your feet and the second yellow card is nowhere near a foul.
    “Ander definitely knows that as well.”
    He hopes to have Rashford back for the weekend after revealing a niggling shoulder injury meant his evening was cut short.
    On Rashford, he said: “It’s a shoulder injury that was niggling him so we’ll see how quickly he can recover.
    “Hopefully he’ll be ready for the West Ham game but we don’t know.”
    He also admitted that in next week’s Leipzig crunch game he won’t be going and looking for the necessary point, instead going to win the game.
    “We go into a game of football wanting to win it.
    “I think in these games against PSG – and Leipzig at home – it showed how much we have developed in these types of games.”

    RICOCHET AND PINBALL
    Man United captain Harry Maguire believes fine margins went against his side tonight.
    He also bemoaned the ‘scrappy’ two goals PSG scored and insists they weren’t opened up by the attacking threat PSG have.
    Speaking after the game, he said: “A disappointing night, we went into the game trying to win it and win the group.
    “Football’s a game of fine margins and we have had the better chances on the night.
    “Their opening two goals are scrappy, ricochets and pinballs around the box and it falls to them an they stick it away.

    Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
    “We deserved something from the game.
    “You’ve got to be clinical and take your chances and don’t give them soft goals.
    “They haven’t opened us up with the talent they’ve got.
    “We need to pick ourselves up now as we have a big game on Saturday, and we are still in control of going through the knock-out stages.
    “It’s strange he [Fred] got a yellow, it is either nothing or a red card but the second-half he won the ball and it is never a yellow card.
    “We know we can take many positives from tonight and move onto Saturday.”

    PACE IS EVERYTHING

    Kylian Mbappé makes this his 9th consecutive game in the Champions’ League without scoring – his efficacy in front of goal has been troubling all year, but a player with his athleticism, when motivated to track back & make dummy runs going forward, brings so much more than goals.
    — Get French Football News (@GFFN) December 2, 2020

    MATCH REPORT
    Manchester United had a real chance to seal progression tonight but came unstuck in the end.
    Relive the key moments as Neil Custis takes you through his match report form the game HERE

    NINTCHDBPICT000623492190Credit: Getty Images – Getty

    HOW WE LOOK WITH ONE TO GO

    HINDSIGHT, EH…

    On balance, I think it might have been a bad decision by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to not take off the player who’s been actively trying to get sent off for the last 40 minutes
    — FootballJOE (@FootballJOE) December 2, 2020

    NOT A BAD LIST…

    THE GOAL THAT SEALED IT

    PSG wrap up the win against Man Utd with a lightning counter-attack started and finished by Neymar 🔥Incredible dribbling to make the space! pic.twitter.com/FiSsosXFmF
    — Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) December 2, 2020

    FT: MANCHESTER UNITED 1 PSG 3
    Neymar started the scoring early in the first half before a deflected Rashford strike had Manchester United level after half an hour.
    Martial missed a massive opportunity just into the second half as he blasted over from eight yards when it looked easier to score.
    Marquinhos put the Parisians back ahead shortly after Cavani hit the bar with an unbelievable chipped effort.
    90 seconds after the goal and Fred was sent off for a second yellow. The booking looked harsh but he was lucky to still be on the park after a first-half headbutt.
    Neymar finished the scoring in injury-time after a wondeful, free-flowing move.
    Manchester United – who earlier looked comfortable in the group – now need something away in Leipzig next week to qualify.
    Reaction to come.

    Credit: PA:Press Association

    PEEEEEEEEEP!
    FULL TIME AT OLD TRAFFORD!

    MANCHESTER UNITED 1 PSG 3
    90+1 He starts the move and finishes it, great play from Neymar.
    Wonderful skill on the halfway line as he beats a few challenges before getting the on their way.
    A great ball into the box from Mbappe finds Rafinha who is one-on-one with de Gea.
    Unlike a moment ago, a free Neymar isn’t ignored as Rafinha rolls it into his path inside the six-yard box and he strokes into an empty ney.
    Game over!

    GOOOOAAAAAALLLL!!
    GAME OVER AT OLD TRAFFORD

    MANCHESTER UNITED 1 PSG 2
    Four minutes added on

    MANCHESTER UNITED 1 PSG 2
    90′ Change for either side
    PSG – Idrissa Gueye for Abdou Diallo
    Odion Ighalo for Aaron Wan-Bissaka

    MANCHESTER UNITED 1 PSG 2
    89′ The corner comes to nothing but Mbappe bursts away.
    Suddenly PSG are 2v1 as Neymar joins in the attack against Wan-Bissaka.
    Mbappe reaches the box and delays and delays before going for goal himself and drags it wide.
    Neymar has a pop at him as he had a tap-in at the back post but was ignored!

    MANCHESTER UNITED 1 PSG 2
    88′ Corner to United after good defending from Kehrer to stop van de Beek getting in behind.

    MANCHESTER UNITED 1 PSG 2
    85′ Five minutes left and United know a draw takes them through.
    They have a chance for a cross from the right but van de Beek only has two targets to hit against the eight of PSG inside their box.
    It comes to nothing.

    MANCHESTER UNITED 1 PSG 2
    84′ Maguire breaks up a PSG attack and is on his bike breaking forward.
    The ball finds Greenwood on the right who swings it in towards Maguire.
    He knocks the ball inside but Fernandes couldn’t get enough of a purchase on his header and Navas catches comfortably.

    MANCHESTER UNITED 1 PSG 2
    82′ Van de Beek adjudged to have fouled Herrera in the PSG box.
    He does appear to catch him. Herrera takes one from the Neymar playbook with a series of rolls on the turf.

    MANCHESTER UNITED 1 PSG 2
    80′ What a hit from Pogba, so close!
    A Telles free kick from deep finds Maguire on the edge of the box.
    His header square to Pogba is smashed on the first-time volley from 20 yards out and screams half-a-yard over the bar. So close to a wondergoal!

    F-RED MIST

    Credit: Getty Images – Getty

    MANCHESTER UNITED 1 PSG 2
    78′ Double change for both sides.
    PSG – Kehrer and Rafinha for Florenzi and Verratti
    Man Utd – Cavani and Martial make way for van de Beek and Greenwood

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    Juventus 3 Dynamo Kiev 0 LIVE REACTION: Ronaldo, Chiesa and Morata on target as Old Lady cruise to Champions League win

    JUVENTUS cruised to all three points as Ronaldo, Chiesa and Morata netted in Turin.
    Final score: Juventus 3-0 Dynamo Kiev
    Follow ALL the action with our live blog below…

    THAT’S ALL FOR TONIGHT
    Impressive win by Juventus tonight, they needed the confidence boost heading into this weekend’s Series A fixture against Torino.
    Plenty of European action still to come this week and we’re covering it here at SunSport.
    Tomorrow the Europa League takes centre stage, followed Premier League and La Liga action on the weekend.
    Goodnight!

    INSANE
    Ronaldo can’t be stopped.

    Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 1.5% of all the goals in CL history
    — Duncan Alexander (@oilysailor) December 2, 2020

    HISTORY MAKER
    Stephanie Frappart made history tonight, becoming the first woman to referee a men’s Champions League game.
    And what a debut it was, she was stern and authoritative.

    Frappart wasn’t shy to bring out the yellow card.Credit: Getty Images

    Pirlo was impressed.Credit: Getty Images

    ONE OF THE G.O.A.T
    Ronaldo scored career goal 750 tonight and it wasn’t one of his best!

    TABLE CHECK
    Barcelona finishing top is all-but confirmed, Juventus would need to score four or more against the Catalan giants to snatch top spot.
    With Ferencvaros also losing 3-0 tonight, Dynamo are still in third place with a goal separating the two sides.
    A draw or win for Dynamo next week would see them drop to the Europa League.

    FULL-TIME STATS
    Juventus dominated the ball in the second half as expected, and this time they got more goals as a reward.
    Dynamo were good in possession mainly inside their own half, but when they ventured forward into Juventus’ they looked out of ideas at times.

    Ronaldo and Morata are forming quite the strike partnership and they both got on the scoresheet tonight.
    They stayed quite close together tonight and it worked well drawing Dynamo’s defenders in and opening up space out in the wide areas of the final third.

    FT: JUVENTUS 3-0 DYNAMO
    Juventus got the job done in the second half thanks to goals from Ronaldo and Morata.
    Ronaldo is now the outright highest home goalscorer in the Champions League, and it wasn’t the prettiest goal of his 750 career goals.
    Chiesa beat his man to the by-line and cut the ball back across the face of goal, Morata got a touch which landed at the feet of Ronaldo one yard out who made no mistake with the finish.
    Morata would eventually get on the scoresheet himself and it was a wonderfully composed finish.
    Chiesa danced clear on the edge of the penalty area and slipped the ball into the No9’s path, his first touch fooled Popov and he smashed the ball past Bushchan with his second.
    Dynamo worked hard for most parts of the game but it was Juventus’ quality which won the match.

    PEEEEEEP!
    THAT’S FULL-TIME!

    JUVENTUS 3-0 DYNAMO 
    90+2. Juventus are passing the ball about inside their own half, they’re in no rush to get a fourth.

    JUVENTUS 3-0 DYNAMO 
    90. Three additional minutes at the end of the second half, Juventus are cruising towards three points.
    Dynamo have conceded three tonight when they really needed to keep the score down. Damage limitation went out of the window early.

    JUVENTUS 3-0 DYNAMO 
    89. SAVE!
    Shaparenko breaks up play on the edge of the penalty area and glides past two Juventus players.
    He shows some neat feet to shift the ball onto his right foot before sending a curling effort towards the far post forcing Szczesny into a smart save!

    JUVENTUS 3-0 DYNAMO 
    88. A Dynamo comeback is incredibly unlikely, just under two minutes of normal time left to be played and there won’t be an awful lot of additional time added on.

    JUVENTUS 3-0 DYNAMO 
    86. Mckennie latches onto the loose ball on the edge of the Dynamo penalty area, cuts back and plays it to Morata.
    Morata twists and turns trying to find an opening to shoot but the opportunity doesn’t present itself.
    He instead plays the ball back to Bernardeschi who has a first time shot but it’s blocked by Popov.

    JUVENTUS 3-0 DYNAMO 
    85. Sandro rises highest to head de Pena’s free-kick away.

    JUVENTUS 3-0 DYNAMO 
    84. Dragusin is penalised for a foul on de Pena.

    JUVENTUS 3-0 DYNAMO 
    82. Morata’s relentless pressing wins Juventus the ball back deep inside the Dynamo half.
    He shows some neat footwork to move the ball onto his left foot before crossing the ball towards the back post in search of Ronaldo.
    Ronaldo reaches Morata’s cross but opts to nod the ball back to Arthur instead of going for goal.

    JUVENTUS 3-0 DYNAMO 
    80. Another double change by Pirlo, Arthur and Kulusevski are on for Bentancur and Chiesa.

    ON-FORM ALVARO
    Goal No6 in the Champions League for Alvaro Morata, calm and composed in front of goal.

    Morata is starting to find his old form again, and he’s got one of the best in the world next to him to help him.Credit: Getty Images

    JUVENTUS 3-0 DYNAMO 
    77. Tsygankov turns and plays the ball into the feet of Harmash inside the penalty area.
    The No19 turns and tries to cross the ball to de Pena but De Ligt gets in the way.

    JUVENTUS 3-0 DYNAMO 
    75. Sandro finds himself in an advanced position deep inside the opposition half and he is spotted by McKennie.
    McKennie floats the ball into the penalty area picking out the Brazilian and he plays a first time cross across the face of goal, but Morata can’t get on the end of it.

    JUVENTUS 3-0 DYNAMO 
    73. Ronaldo picks the ball up inside the Dynamo half and drives down the line.
    He gets to the by-line and tries to stick a cross in but it’s blocked before for a corner.

    JUVENTUS 3-0 DYNAMO 
    71. Triple substitution being made by Dynamo as Rodrigues, Verbic and Shepelev make way for de Pena, Harmash and Supriaha.

    RON-TOP
    Career goal No750 for Cristiano Ronaldo for club and country!

    Ronaldo finally got his goal tonight after being denied by the crossbar in the first half.Credit: Getty Images

    JUVENTUS 3-0 DYNAMO 
    68. Dragusin is on for Demiral.

    JUVENTUS 3-0 DYNAMO 
    67. Quarter of the game to go and Dynamo look dead and buried, but they game it a good go to be fair.
    Juventus’ quality won them the game.

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