Good morning!
The Sport360 team are here bringing you our top stories on Wednesday.
TOP STORY
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp admitted match-winner Roberto Firmino had no chance of playing against Paris St Germain until he arrived at training on Tuesday morning and declared himself fit.
The Brazil international was set to miss the Champions League opener because of an abrasion on the cornea of his left eye sustained in Saturday’s win over Tottenham.
He did not train with the squad on Monday but, having said he was ready to play, came off the bench to score the added-time winner in the thrilling 3-2 victory over PSG at Anfield.
To read more from last night’s thrilling Champions League clash CLICK HERE
Jurgen Klopp and Fabinho are delighted after the win over PSG
CRICKET
All eyes of the cricketing world will be on Dubai on Wednesday when arch-rivals India and Pakistan go head-to-head in the Asia Cup. The spotlight will also be on two players for completely contrasting reasons – Pakistan’s Mohammad Amir and India’s stand-in skipper Rohit Sharma.
Read why in our preview for the clash CLICK HERE.
Rohit Sharma will lead India in Kohli’s absence.
FOOTBALL
Elsewhere in the Champions League Lionel Messi ran riot with a sublime hat-trick against PSV, his eighth in the Champions League.
Afterwards Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde said Messi makes the “extraordinary seem routine.”
Messi moved ahead of his great rival Cristiano Ronaldo’s tally of trebles in the competition after paving the way for a 4-0 win with a stunning 32nd-minute free-kick.
The Argentinian scored twice more after Ousmane Dembele had got his name on the scoresheet with a brilliant solo strike, prompting Valverde to sing Messi’s praises in the post-match press conference.
To read what Valverde had to say CLICK HERE.
Lionel Messi was sublime against PSV
FEATURE
The Springboks have been in the news for all the right reasons after their stunning upset win over world No1 the All Blacks in Wellington last Saturday.
Much of the credit for the victory goes to the inspirational captain Siya Kolisi. But Kolisi’s journey to become Springbok captain is an extraordinary story, following in the footsteps of the legendary Nelson Mandela.
To read more about Siya’s remarkable story CLICK HERE.
The famous No6 jersey: Siya Kolisi (l) and Nelson Mandela.
SOCIAL MEDIA
And #Messi said, Let there be a goal: and there was a goal. pic.twitter.com/7ydlC9fSwU
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) September 18, 2018
Antoine Griezmann says he is at the same level as Cristiano Ronaldo and Leo Messi.
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) September 18, 2018
Sergio Ramos responded to his claim... pic.twitter.com/9yi7VNjtIl
Messi's free-kick from the stands. 😍 pic.twitter.com/R589bXTrhM
— Arthur Kogan (@TheRealArturK) September 19, 2018
Hong Kong bow out of the 2018 Asia Cup on a high, keeping India on the edge with a spirited batting performance https://t.co/GRASXSzU9z #AsiaCup2018 #INDvHK #HKvIND pic.twitter.com/shTX3LWhyt
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) September 18, 2018
Mo Salah’s reaction 👀 pic.twitter.com/ruCQkgP5bB
— B/R Football (@brfootball) September 18, 2018
WHAT’S ON
Cricket:
Unimoni Asia Cup India v Pakistan 15:20 (UAE time) OSN Sports Cricket HD
Football:
Champions League Ajax v AEK Athens 20:55 (UAE Time) beIN Sports HD 1/11
Champions League Real Madrid v Roma 23:00 (UAE Time) beIN Sports HD 1
Champions League Manchester City v Lyon 23:00 (UAE Time) beIN Sports HD 5/11
Champions League Valencia v Juventus 23:00 (UAE Time) beIN Sports HD 4
Champions League Young Boys v Manchester United 23:00 (UAE Time) beIN Sports HD 5
Champions League Benfica v Bayern Munich 23:00 (UAE Time) beIN Sports HD 3
