Football

Los Angeles, United States: Son Heung-min bested Lionel Messi in the battle of Major League Soccer's global superstars, setting up a 3-0 win for Los Angeles FC over Inter Miami on the US league's opening weekend. The South Korean, already beloved in Los Angeles as he embarks on his first full season, set up a first-half strike for David Martinez, before Denis Bouanga and Nathan Ordaz sealed the win. Spearheading the Black-and-Gold's potent attacking trio, Son cantered through the center of Miami's defense all night, raucously cheered by some 76,000 fans -- the second-largest attendance in MLS history. The Saturday night game had been moved to the cavernous Memorial Coliseum to accommodate the demand for MLS's two best-known players, with commissioner Don Garber boasting the league could have sold out LAFC's usual stadium "five times." But for those who poured in to see eight-time Ballon d'Or-winner Messi there were slim pickings, as Miami failed to seriously threaten the LAFC goal despite dominating possession. LAFC started brightly, allowing Miami plenty of possession but attacking swiftly on the break. Gabonese star Bouanga looked particularly dangerous early on, playing through Son for a one-on-one. But the South Korean could not get a shot away, running it wide to the keeper's right. At the other end Messi, who has had limited training opportunities since picking up a hamstring strain in a friendly two weeks ago, looked off the pace. The Argentine great repeatedly lost possession and as the frustration built, LAFC struck. With Rodrigo De Paul robbed on the center circle, the ball fell to Son, who was given too much time by backpedaling Miami defenders. He slid the ball out right to Martinez. The young Venezuelan curled it round the keeper with a first-time shot, inside the back post. Martinez came close to a near-identical goal in stoppage time of the half, but this time guided it just wide. Moments later, Messi's first genuine chance from the edge of the box flashed inches wide. Miami came out after the break with more aggression, with Messi pulling the strings and firing another shot just over the crossbar. Around the hour mark, the World Cup winner collided face first with the back of Ryan Porteous and was down on the ground for a minute or so -- but clambered back up to the relief of his team and nation. LAFC were happy to soak up the pressure. And their patience was soon rewarded. Timothy Tillman played a giant, looping through ball from deep in his own half to Bouanga, who headed it over the rushing keeper, rounded him and knocked it into the net. Son should have had another assist, pulling it back from the touchline to Bouanga, who this time could not latch on to the opportunity. The South Korean was hooked moments later, looking frustrated to be hauled off with just minutes remaining despite the hearty applause. His replacement Ordaz put the game to rest, slotting in from a mazy run down the left by Bouanga.

Horse Racing

Hong Kong: Ka Ying Rising, ridden by Zac Purton, stormed to his 18th win in a row on Sunday to break the long-standing Hong Kong record of Silent Witness. The world's best sprinter made history as he obliterated the 1,400m (seven furlong) track record in the Group One Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup at Sha Tin by more than half a second. "He's the horse of a lifetime," said Purton after coming home a scarcely believable three-and-a-half lengths clear of Helios Express and fellow group One winner Lucky Sweynesse. "I just pinch myself every time I ride him. He's in a league of his own," jockey Purton said after coming home in a record time of 1min 19.36sec. "These are good class horses he's beaten today. Let's hope he can stay in this form for another 12 to 18 months." The David Hayes-trained superstar first won over this distance in the same race last year, having had most of his outings over 1,200m (six furlongs). Ka Ying Rising repeated the victory with ease and, once Purton asked him to kick on from the final bend, no horse in a field stacked with group winners was able to live with his devastating turn of speed. Ka Ying Rising had equalled Silent Witness's 17-win record, set back in 2005, when barely extended in the 1,200m Group One Centenary Sprint Cup at Sha Tin last month.

Horse Racing

Doha, Qatar: Belgium’s Pieter Devos delivered a standout performance at Al Shaqab’s Longines Outdoor Arena, winning Friday’s CSI5* 1.50m Faults and Time feature on the third day of CHI Al Shaqab Presented by Longines. Aboard Jarina J, Devos produced a flawless round in 59.58 seconds to secure the title. Germany’s Janne Friederike Meyer-Zimmermann, riding Iron Dames High Level, finished a close second in 59.72 seconds, while Saudi Arabia’s Khaled Almobty partnered with Spacecake to take third place in 59.82 seconds. The winners were crowned by Sheikh Talal bin Khalid, Assistant Director of the Championship. Assistant Deputy Director of the Doha Equestrian Tour Sheikh Talal bin Khalid presents the winner's trophy to Pieter Devos. In the CSI3* 1.45m Faults & Time, American rider Eve Jobs claimed first place aboard Kannandillo in 61.10 seconds. Brazil’s Marlon Modolo Zanotelli finished second on Collin S 4 with a time of 62.37 seconds, while Jordan’s Bashir Kayali took third on Wilfredo in 62.51 seconds. The winners were crowned by the Championship’s Sports Director, Salmeen Al-Suwaidi. Saudi Arabia’s Khalid Al Hadi topped the CSI3* 1.30m Jump & Drive class aboard Doremi du Flot Z in 89.43 seconds. Jordan’s Ibrahim Hani Bisharat followed in second with Corona Irw in 89.95 seconds, while Saudi rider Mohammed Alasaker secured third on Scoobylensky Theyss with a time of 90.41 seconds. USA's Eve Jobs guides Kannandillo over a fence during the CSI3* 1.45m Faults & Time event. At the Longines Indoor Arena, Britain’s Carl Hester riding Fame claimed victory in the CDI5* Grand Prix. Poland’s Sandra Sysojeva (Maxima Bella) and Denmark’s Nadja Aaboe Sloth (Favour Gersdorf) finished second and third respectively. In the CDI1* Intermediate Freestyle, Qatari riders dominated the podium. Jassim Al Kuwari took first place on Jack Sparrow, followed by Maryam Ahmad Al Boinin on Blue Hors Touch Of Olympic L in second and Wejdan Majed Al Malki on Faisao in third. Qatar's Jassim Al Kuwari won the CDI1* Intermediate Freestyle event. In the CPEDI3* Grand Prix B classes, Brazil’s Luiz Felipe Queiroz Menin (Ocaso Do Luar) won Grade I. America’s Fiona Howard (Ferguston) prevailed in Grade II, while her compatriot Kate Shoemaker (Jagger) topped Grade IV. Sweden’s Lena Malmstrom (Fabulous Fidelie) emerged winner in Grade V. At the second Outdoor Arena, Qatari rider Abdulaziz bin Jassim Al Thani secured first place in the SICh-B – 1.10m – Jump Off – Group VII series qualifier aboard Gabbana M in 31.80 seconds. It was an all-Qatari podium, with Abdullah Ahmed Al Musafri (Celia Z) finishing second and Salha Khalid Al Obaidli (Roxette van de Achterhoek) taking third. In the CSI1* 1.15m Faults & Time, Saudi Arabia’s Abdullah Ibrahim Abdullah on Erosa triumphed in 57.94 seconds. Qatar’s Sheikh Fahad Jassim H K Al Thani, riding Ciara LU, placed second in 59.18 seconds, while Saudi Arabia’s Halah Alrasheed on Cruising On The Ridge completed the podium in 63.38 seconds. Sheikh Talal said the championship holds a distinguished place on the international equestrian calendar, attracting more than 300 riders from 40 countries, including world No.1 Scott Brash of Great Britain. He stressed that the strong global participation reflects the event’s prestige and highlighted its role as a platform for sporting and cultural exchange, underscoring Qatar’s significant progress in organising world-class equestrian competitions.