Football

Manchester: Erling Haaland fired 10-man Manchester City to a memorable 1-0 victory over Manchester United despite Phil Foden's first-half red card to extend a perfect start to Enzo Maresca's reign. Foden kicked out at United captain Bruno Fernandes on 23 minutes to give the visitors a mountain to climb. But a new-look City were up to the challenge as the near £250 million ($340 million) midfield pairing of Elliot Anderson and Enzo Fernandez proved their worth. Haaland's winner was laced with controversy as Fernandez was deemed not to be interfering with play when he attempted to head in before the ball reached the Norwegian. Defeat compounds a miserable Premier League start for United as they are already eight points adrift of City and defending champions Arsenal. By contrast, victory was a huge statement for Maresca to quell fears of a major drop-off from City following Pep Guardiola's trophy-laden decade in charge. A fervent pre-match atmosphere was fuelled just as much by United fans' anger towards their own club as it was by the usual animosity between the supporters. A crackdown on ticket touting in recent months has resulted in widespread condemnation from supporters' groups after many innocent people faced the threat of sanction. A normal array of banners and flags in the Stretford End was replaced by just one bearing the message: "The way you treat us is a disgrace." The visitors had made the better start in the opening quarter but looked to have been completely undone by Foden's ill discipline. City will argue Fernandes should also have seen red as he fouled Foden and then kicked him in the back. But there was little case for Foden's defence as he retaliated by throwing both legs up into Fernandes's midriff. Kobbie Mainoo blocked Rayan Cherki's goalbound effort before Youri Tielemans nearly sliced Antoine Semenyo's cross into his own net as City continued to be the more threatening. Marcus Rashford was inches away from his first United goal since December 2024 when his free-kick came crashing back off the post with United's best effort before the break. The woodwork came to City's rescue again just after half-time when Mainoo curled onto the post from distance and the ball rebounded kindly into Gianluigi Donnarumma's grasp. But the City sucker punch arrived on the hour mark. Haaland adjusted his body brilliantly to sweep in Josko Gvardiol's deflected cross. A VAR review deemed Haaland was onside and that Fernandez was not interfering as he stooped to try and head in himself. City came close to landing the telling blow when Fernandez's effort was turned onto the post by Senne Lammens. Haaland also should have had a second when he got onto Fernandez's wicked low free-kick delivery. City, though, were not made to pay for failing to add a second as United lacked the composure and quality to make the man advantage count until the final minute of stoppage time. Fernandes's reverse ball perfectly picked out Bryan Mbeumo but he was denied by a fine save from Donnarumma. Maresca scampered down the touchline in delight at full-time. After a battle for the title went down to the final week of last season, Arsenal and City look a class apart from the competition once more. Both are locked on 12 points with Chelsea, Liverpool and United already cut adrift.

Qatar Sport

DOHA: Team Qatar by Iron Lynx secured a major victory in the Goodyear 4 Hours of Silverstone, Round 5 of the 2026 European Le Mans Series (ELMS), taking first place in the LMGT3 category with the #62 Mercedes-AMG LMGT3. The team, supported by the Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF), claimed the victory with its Silverstone driver lineup of Qatar’s Abdulla Al-Khelaifi, Julian Hanses and Ralf Aron, delivering a strong and consistent performance throughout the four-hour race. The weekend had already started perfectly when Abdulla Al-Khelaifi secured pole position in the LMGT3 category on Saturday, setting a time of 2:00.011. This was Abdulla’s third LMGT3 pole position of the 2026 ELMS season. Starting from the front of the LMGT3 field, Team Qatar maintained its strong pace throughout the race to secure its first ELMS victory of the 2026 season. The result is particularly significant in the championship battle. Team Qatar entered the Silverstone race in third place in the LMGT3 standings with 47 points, just six points behind the championship leader. Following the Silverstone victory and the additional championship point earned for pole position, Team Qatar moved to the top of the LMGT3 championship standings with 73 points, heading into the final round of the season. With only one round remaining, Team Qatar by Iron Lynx is now a strong contender for the 2026 ELMS LMGT3 championship title. The final round of the European Le Mans Series will take place at Portimão, Portugal, on 10 October 2026.

Qatar Sport

Riyadh: Qatar swimming champion Nada Mohamed Wafa has been elected Chairperson of the Athletes Committee of the Islamic Solidarity Sports Association (ISSA) at the Association's General Assembly meeting in Taif, Saudi Arabia, attended by representatives of its member countries. Wafa's election reflects her sporting achievements and extensive experience in regional and international competitions. In her new role, she will lead the committee tasked with representing athletes and promoting their participation in the Association's activities and events. Her election reflects the confidence placed in Qatari sporting talent internationally and further strengthens Qatar's presence in regional and international sports organizations. It also reinforces Qatar's contribution to sports development and efforts to support athletes. Nada Mohamed Wafa is one of Qatar's prominent sporting figures and has represented the country at numerous regional and international competitions, most notably at the 2012 Olympic Games in London and the 2019 World Aquatics Championships in South Korea.