Sports
Chelsea beat Dortmund 2-0, reach Champions League quarter-finals
Chelsea had won just three of their previous 16 matches to fall to 10th in the Premier League and bow out early of both domestic cups.
But some of their expensive collection of stars showed up in time to remain in the hunt for a third European Cup.
Kick-off was delayed by 10 minutes after Dortmund got stuck in the heavy London traffic on arrival to the stadium.
Once the action got underway, Chelsea sped out of the blocks.
Alexander Meyer had to fly off his line to block from Joao Felix from a narrow angle before Havertz fired a big chance into the side netting.
Dortmund arrived in England on the back of a 10-game winning run in all competitions.
But the visitors posed barely any attacking threat in the first half bar a Marco Reus free-kick that Kepa Arrizabalaga did brilliantly to palm to safety.
Chances continued to come and go at the other end. Havertz smashed a volley off the inside of the post and then finally found the net via the underside of the bar only for the goal to be ruled out for an offside against Sterling earlier in the move.
The worst miss was to come as Kalidou Koulibaly miscued with an open goal from Ben Chilwell’s free-kick and Felix’s follow-up effort was blocked on the line.
Potter was uncharacteristically animated on the touchline as he constantly whipped the crowd up to keep pushing his side forward.
And the home fans finally had something to celebrate three minutes before half-time.
– Sterling comes good –
Sterling’s first attempt was another one to forget as he swiped and missed Chilwell’s low cross, but the England international composed himself to dribble past Reus and fire high into the net.
That was just Chelsea’s third goal in the last eight games.
Havertz’s penalty early in the second half meant Potter’s men scored more than once for the first time since December 27, but the German international needed two spot-kicks to make his mark.
Marius Wolf was penalised for handling Chilwell’s cross after a VAR review.
Havertz’s first penalty came back off the post, but VAR came to Chelsea’s rescue once more as Dortmund were further punished for encroaching.
There was no second reprieve as Havertz coolly slotted the ball the same way, this time finding the corner of the net.
Chelsea’s spending spree may have ruled them out of the running for Jude Bellingham with the Dortmund midfielder expected to have his choice of Europe’s top clubs this summer.
On his return to England, Bellingham was far from his best and missed a big chance to level the tie when he side-footed wide just before the hour mark.
Chelsea were guilty of trying to protect their advantage in the final quarter and relied on Kepa to bail them out as Wolf stung the palms of the Spaniard.
But they should have still added a third on the counter-attack as Sterling again failed to hold his run before squaring for Conor Gallagher to roll into an empty net.
AFP
Sports
Beyond the Trophy: Lessons in Success, Discipline and Integrity from Spain’s World Cup Triumph
By SP Daniel Ndukwe, Enugu State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO)
Forty-eight nations entered the 2026 FIFA World Cup with one dream—to become champions. By the final whistle, only Spain remained standing.
From the opening match, Spain played with purpose, discipline and confidence, displaying the qualities of a team determined to conquer the world. Their triumph was not built on luck, but on preparation, resilience and unwavering belief.
Spain’s journey to glory was far from easy.
They began the knockout stage with an emphatic 3–0 victory over Austria before edging Portugal 1–0 in a fiercely contested Round of 16 clash. The quarter-finals demanded even greater resolve as they battled past Belgium 2–1, while a composed and disciplined 2–0 victory over France in the semi-finals secured their place in the final.
Every step of the way tested their character, proving that champions are made by overcoming challenges, not avoiding them.
The final against Argentina was the ultimate examination. Facing one of the tournament’s finest teams, Spain remained calm under pressure, trusted their tactical approach and displayed remarkable teamwork.
Their hard-fought 1–0 victory crowned them deserving world champions and demonstrated that sustained success is the product of consistency, discipline and character.
Beyond the trophy lies a lesson for us all. Whether in sports, education, business or any other endeavour, lasting success is built on discipline, perseverance, integrity and honest effort.
Quick gains through crime or wrongdoing may seem tempting, but they inevitably lead to loss, regret and consequences. True victory belongs to those who choose the right path, remain steadfast through life’s challenges and earn their success honourably.
Shun crime. Reject criminality. Embrace hard work and integrity. The surest path to lasting success is the path of honesty.
About the Author
Daniel Ndukwe is a public relations and strategic communication practitioner, as well as a governance, social change and development specialist.
South African football has been thrown into mourning following the death of Bafana Bafana and Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Jayden Adams, who passed away at the age of 25, just weeks after representing his country at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The heartbreaking news was first reported by football transfer expert Fabrizio Romano before being confirmed by several international media outlets, including The Guardian and BBC Sport. South Africa’s Minister of Sport, Gayton McKenzie, also paid tribute, describing Adams as one of the nation’s brightest football talents.
Adams earned widespread admiration during the World Cup for his courage and professionalism after playing in a key group-stage match against Czechia just a day after learning of the death of his beloved grandmother, Marianna Adams. Despite his personal grief, he continued to represent his country with commitment as South Africa reached the knockout stage of the tournament for the first time.
At club level, Adams had just completed an outstanding 2025/26 season with Mamelodi Sundowns, helping the club enjoy another successful campaign after joining from Stellenbosch FC, where he had risen through the academy to become one of South Africa’s most promising midfielders.
Local publication Sunday World reported that Adams allegedly took his own life after battling depression. However, authorities have not officially confirmed the cause of death, and South African police have opened an investigation while urging the public to avoid speculation.
In a heartfelt statement, the South African Football Players Union described Adams’ passing as “an immeasurable loss” to his family, teammates, clubs, supporters, and the entire football community. Tributes have also poured in from FIFA, football clubs, teammates, and fans across the world, remembering him as a gifted player whose career was cut tragically short.
Mexico’s Julian Quinones pulled one back before halftime, reacting quickest to a loose ball in the box to fire into the roof of the net and revive the co-hosts’ hopes.
England were reduced to 10 men in the second half after Jarrell Quansah was sent off following a VAR review, but Harry Kane restored England’s two-goal lead with a penalty after goalkeeper Raul Rangel fouled Anthony Gordon.
Mexico’s Raul Jimenez reduced the deficit with another penalty after a VAR review confirmed a foul from Kane on Brian Gutierrez.
The match was delayed by one hour due to adverse weather conditions around the Azteca Stadium.
England will face Norway in the last eight in Miami on Saturday.
Morocco’s dramatic penalty shoot-out victory over the Netherlands on Tuesday sparked jubilant celebrations in The Hague, home to one of the Netherlands’ largest Moroccan communities, but the festivities later descended into clashes with police that resulted in several arrests.
In the city’s Schilderswijk district, Moroccan supporters flooded the streets waving national flags, dancing and chanting as car horns blared and fireworks lit up the night.
Hundreds of fans gathered at a major intersection, kicking footballs into the air, singing, and celebrating with occupants of passing vehicles. Some supporters even climbed onto moving cars in scenes of exuberance following Morocco’s historic triumph.
However, about an hour into the celebrations, riot police moved in to disperse the crowds. Officers deployed water cannons and carried out baton charges as they sought to restore order.
AFP reporters at the scene witnessed around a dozen arrests. Several young men were pinned to the ground after being struck on the legs with batons before being handcuffed and taken away in police vans.
Police officers on bicycles also pursued groups of youths through nearby streets in a cat-and-mouse chase, although no significant property damage was reported.
Despite repeated requests, revellers declined to speak to journalists, with many choosing to conceal their identities by wearing balaclavas or other face coverings.
The last-32 encounter in Monterrey ended 1-1 after extra time before being decided by a tense penalty shoot-out. After a series of misses by both sides, Morocco striker Ismael Saibari, who plays for PSV Eindhoven in the Netherlands, calmly converted the decisive spot-kick to send Morocco into the last 16.
Morocco will now face co-hosts Canada in the round of 16.
A 26-year-old lawyer, Sara Araba Tettey, has tragically died while celebrating Ghana’s World Cup victory over Panama.
Tettey, a newly qualified lawyer and alumna of the Faculty of Law at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), was among millions of Ghanaians rejoicing over the Black Stars’ triumph when tragedy struck.
According to reports, she suffered a cardiac arrest while watching the match with friends at Standard Hostel, a private student hostel located at Bomso near the KNUST campus in Kumasi.
Witnesses immediately rushed her to the
KNUST Hospital, where medical personnel reportedly spent about 45 minutes administering Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) in a desperate attempt to save her life. Sadly, all efforts proved unsuccessful, and she was pronounced dead.
Tettey had only recently been called to the Ghana Bar, making her sudden death even more heartbreaking for family, friends, colleagues, and members of the legal community.
News of her passing has spread rapidly across the country, casting a shadow over what had been a moment of national celebration. While Ghanaians continue to celebrate the Black Stars’ victory, many are also mourning the loss of a promising young professional whose life was cut short.
The tragic incident has once again highlighted the importance of emergency preparedness and rapid medical response during large public and social events.
What should have been a day remembered solely for Ghana’s sporting success has instead become a day marked by both celebration and sorrow.
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