We look at some the best talking points from this weekend’s sporting action. Boks come close, Mahrez penalty miss, Khabib taps McGregor out and more!
Close but no Cigar for the Boks
The Springboks missed out on a chance to do the double over New Zealand when they were pipped in the last minute, going down 32-30 at Loftus Versveld on Saturday.
The Boks let a healthy half-time lead go to waste as the All Blacks clawed their way back late into the second half to snatch the game. Rassie Erasmus came in for a bit of stick as he ‘cleared the bench’ in the dying embers of the game, with many citing this tactic as disrupting the rhythm of the side. Still, there were plenty of positives to take away from the encounter, with Siya Kolis and his charges peaking at the right time with the World Cup just 12 months away.
Khabib goes 27 – 0 after McGregor Taps Out
Khabib Nurmagomedov won in the fourth round against Conor McGregor via submission in the headline of UFC 229. The Russian was brutal in his win as he wore out McGregor using his clinical wrestling and grappling techniques.
But the bout was marred by the events that took place afterwards that saw multiple brawls ensue after Khabib lept out of the octagon and attacked on of McGregor’s training partners.
Mbappe Scores 4 in 13 minutes
Kylian Mbappe scored four goals in 13 minutes as PSG drubbed Lyon 5 – 0 to go eight points clear in the Ligue 1 summit. The youngster scored his hat-trick within eight minutes as PSG pulled further clear at the summit of the Ligue 1 standings.
Australia Complete Massive Comeback in Argentina
Australia finished third in the Rugby Championship standings after they successfully pulled back a 31-7 half-time deficit in Buenos Aires. That was the biggest comeback any team has completed in any Rugby Championship match to date.
Mario Ledesma was fuming after his team failed to defend such a healthy lead in front of their home faithful.
The 45-34 victory appears to have eased pressure on Coach Michael Cheika, but none the less his teams results have not been great and he is scheduled to meet the Australian Rugby Board to present the changes he wants to make prior to the Rugby World Cup 2019.
Mahrez Fluffs Chance to Send City Top
Riyad Mahrez skied a late penalty as Liverpool managed to steal a point at Anfield this past weekend. Virgil van Dijk brought Leroy Sane down in the box and Mahrez stepped up to take the penalty which he seemed to snatch away from Gabriel Jesus.
Jesus’ facial expression said it all as Mahrez took matters into his own hands. Moments later the Algerian winger sent the ball over the bar to hand Liverpool a point.
Pep Gaurdiola embraced Mahrez after the game and he apologized to Gabriel Jesus for denying him the chance to take the penalty- as he sees Mahrez taking a lot of penalties during training. Manchester City are still at the top of the standings but only by goal difference, and are tied on points alongside Chelsea and Liverpool.
