After benching Quinn Ewers within the first half, the Texas Longhorns have turned again to their beginning quarterback.

Ewers led the Texas offense onto the sector for its first possession of the second half of a recreation in opposition to Georgia. Texas trailed 23-0 at halftime, however the Longhorns opened the second half with the soccer at its 48-yard line. Ewers then directed a scoring drive that ended with the quarterback connecting with receiver Isaiah Bond for a landing and subsequent two-point conversion.

Throughout the first half at Royal-Memorial Stadium, Ewers threw for simply 17 yards and dedicated two turnovers over six drives. The third-year starter accomplished six of his 12 passes.

Backup quarterback Arch Manning did not fare a lot better after he changed Ewers. Over two possessions, Manning went 3-for-6 for 19 yards, and he took off on a 21-yard run. Manning additionally misplaced a fumble.

LONDON — Adam Azim’s march up the junior welterweight ranks continued on Saturday as he beat Ohara Davies through knockout in London.

At simply 22 years previous, it is one other spectacular victory for Azim in opposition to a veteran opponent.

Davies, 33, mentioned the bout would probably be his final, telling Sky Sports activities: “I am match. I’ve nonetheless acquired my schools. I feel this is likely to be the tip of my boxing profession and I am glad it was in opposition to Adam Azim.”

Azim (12-0, 9 KOs) scored a knockdown in Spherical 5 as Davies took a knee after a shot to the physique. After taking an increasing number of punishment because the combat went on, Davies (25-4, 18 KOs) was floored once more in Spherical 8, this time with a left hand to the pinnacle. He could not beat the rely as Azim stormed to a different commanding win.

Azim regarded to get on the entrance foot early, shortly making use of his vicious left hand that has been the undoing of so many earlier opponents in his quick skilled profession.

By Spherical 4, he was beginning to construct some good combos, though he could not wipe the smile from the face of a spirited Davies.

Nonetheless, Azim remained composed, working nicely behind his jab and selecting his moments properly.

Whereas in the long run a snug win, the combat was a major step up for Azim in opposition to an opponent 10 years his senior. Davies has loads of expertise and has shared the ring with the likes of Josh Taylor and Jack Catterall.

A combat with fellow unbeaten countryman Dalton Smith has lengthy been mooted, however Azim mentioned he’ll take it when the time is true.

“He is simply in a rush. I do not concern any combat, it could be good if it should be a primary occasion,” Azim mentioned. “Once I do combat him, I’ll educate him a lesson. I am sick and bored with him speaking about me … it should be harmful for him.”

Promoter Ben Shalom echoed his fighter’s sentiments, saying: “Adam Azim does not want anybody. He will have loads of fighters calling him out. He is the large identify, I imagine, within the division on this nation. Everybody’s going to need that massive combat, however we’ll take it when it is proper for us.”

On the undercard, former gentle heavyweight world title challenger Anthony Yarde beat Ralfs Vilcans on factors, 98-92.

It regarded as if it could be a fast end after Yarde (26-3, 24 KOs) floored his opponent within the opening seconds, however the Londoner could not capitalise. Vilcans (17-1, 7 KOs) recovered nicely and had his fair proportion of moments within the combat.

AUSTIN, Texas — Regardless of benching Quinn Ewers for Arch Manning throughout No. 1 Texas’ 30-15 loss to No. 5 Georgia on Saturday night time, coach Steve Sarkisian stated after the sport there was not a quarterback competitors.

“Quinn’s our beginning quarterback,” Sarkisian stated. “I recognize the truth that we’re lucky sufficient to have a backup like Arch that may come into the sport and supply a spark in some sense, however on the finish of the day, Quinn’s our starter.”

Trailing 20-0, Manning entered the sport with 4:43 left within the first half. His first drive resulted in a punt, and his second ended with him fumbling the ball whereas making an attempt a cross, organising a Georgia subject purpose to make it 23-0 on the finish of the primary half.

Ewers had struggled within the face of Georgia’s cross rush. He was pressured on six of his 16 dropbacks, going 0-for-2 on these performs with three sacks. General, Ewers was 6-of-12 passing for 17 yards and an interception when he was benched.

Sarkisian stated Ewers’ “eyes weren’t the place they wanted to be,” so he opted to provide him an opportunity to cool down and are available again out for the second half, although Ewers stated he wasn’t informed till he was within the locker room at halftime. Ewers was requested if he agreed with Sarkisian’s evaluation that he wanted to reset.

“I imply, it appeared like I did,” he stated. “I got here out after, second half, and put a few good drives collectively, however it’s undoubtedly a bizarre place to be in, for certain. … I felt good. I believed I used to be making a few of the proper selections. Clearly missed a pair right here and there. However it’s robust.”

Ewers and Manning had been each underneath duress from Georgia’s cross rush. The Bulldogs received strain on 39% of Texas dropbacks. Georgia had 11 sacks all season however completed with seven towards Texas. The Longhorns rushed for less than 29 yards.

“The sport, the way in which that it went, allowed elite cross rushers to cross rush,” Sarkisian stated.

Ewers completed 25-of-43 passing for 211 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. Manning went 3-of-6 for 19 yards.

“Quinn’s our starter, however I believe we have to do a greater job round him,” Sarkisian stated. “I believe he would let you know he can play higher, however we have to educate higher. All people’s received to be higher for our offensive soccer group to carry out higher.”

Sarkisian stated he thought Ewers confirmed his aggressive facet within the second half, noting, “I am certain he wasn’t the happiest man with me” for taking him out of the sport.

The Longhorns’ rocky displaying was a disappointment for a top-ranked Texas group in entrance of 105,215 in Darrell Ok Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in one of the crucial anticipated video games of the season. However Sarkisian stated in a 12-team playoff period, one loss would not forestall the Longhorns from any of their targets for the remainder of the season.

“Shedding a recreation like this does not kill you,” Sarkisian stated. “It was one recreation. … I believe we are able to sit round right here and throw a pity occasion for ourselves, however I do not know what good that is going to do for us.”

Ewers agreed.

“We misplaced to group at present, and I believe everyone understands that,” Ewers stated. “Clearly not the end result that we needed, however there’s nonetheless a number of soccer to be performed.”

Adam Azim rose to the problem of Ohara Davies, placing the Londoner down twice as he received in type inside eight rounds on the Copper Field Enviornment in London.

Azim hit exhausting dwelling pictures early. Within the first spherical he scored with a beautiful one-two, a blaze of straight punches that Davies took on the chin and will need to have felt.

Davies smiled as he backed off, however certainly he was masking concern. Azim had began quick and was working with menacing intent.

His speedy jabs have been catching Davies and Azim was dictating the motion.

Azim tagged him with a lead left hook, however Davies launched a hefty proper that caught his opponent. That backhand continued to threaten and Azim needed to weave away from it.

Their lengthy jabs battled for place and each unleashed pictures that introduced up gasps from the group.

They landed on one another to finish the third spherical. The 2 have identified one another for years, since Azim was a toddler. However their mutual respect did not forestall both from opening up with heavy artillery.

Azim cracked Davies along with his left hook within the fourth and lined that shot up once more. The smile returned to Davies’ face however Azim ignored it and shifted him to the facet with a proper hook.

Azim hooked his left excellently off the jab and he completed the fourth spherical with a proper uppercut scything via.

The facility-punching was affecting Davies within the fifth spherical. Azim rocked him again, however Davies nonetheless popped a left hook in.

That did not deter Azim who, with a left to the physique, despatched his opponent to the canvas. With enormous punches to comply with that up, he smashed his proper down. Davies was firmly on the retreat, and in determined hassle. His nook had a towel out, poised on the ring apron, contemplating pulling him out as he simply bought via the spherical.

In some way Davies managed to smile on the bell, acknowledging Azim’s work.

The person from Slough was in full circulate although within the subsequent spherical, shrugging off one other defiant left hook from Davies.

Azim continued to topic him to punishment. Davies held on for one more spherical however Azim delivered a sensational end within the eighth.

A straight one-two arrange a clear left hook that smashed the Londoner to his knees at 1:18 of the eighth spherical. Davies couldn’t proceed from there, the referee waving it off even earlier than Davies’ nook crew may pull him out.

“It was my greatest efficiency,” Azim mentioned afterwards. “I needed to be very switched on for him.

“For the entire 13 weeks I have been coaching exhausting. He is my pal, however he is very harmful. He is a world title contender so I’ve bought a lot love for him.”

Davies: This could be the tip

“Adam will go far within the sport of boxing. I carried out my factor, however what? It is time for the younger gun Adam to make his identify and be up there,” Davies mentioned.

“I’ve had my time within the sport of boxing. I have been a professional for over 10 years now. I began boxing in Hackney and I feel this could be the tip of my boxing profession. I feel I would end my boxing profession in the identical borough of Hackney the place I began it.

“I really feel like it’s a must to know when your time is finished. You do not wish to keep on this sport for too lengthy and take an excessive amount of.

“I am match. I’ve nonetheless bought my colleges. I feel this could be the tip of my boxing profession and I am glad it was in opposition to Adam Azim.”

Dan Azeez fights Lewis Edmondson on the Copper Field Enviornment in London tonight dwell on Sky Sports activities+. Stream boxing and extra with NOW

The Graham Norton Present viewers had been left confused after believing they heard boos for a celeb visitor.

One week after Miranda Hart and Selena Gomez shared an emotional interplay on the BBC chat present, it returned on Friday (18 October) with an episode that welcomed company together with Amy Adams, Vanessa Williams, Invoice Bailey and St Vincent.

However it was Bruce Springsteen, who was in London to advertise his new Disney+ documentary Street Diary, that prompted probably the most pleasure from viewers members.

In the beginning of Springsteen’s interview, when Irish host Norton launched the musician, a noise might be heard from the viewers gathered within the studio that these not unaware of the musician’s devoted fandom thought had been boos. This led to a flurry of posts on X/Twitter asking:”Why did the viewers boo Springsteen?”

Nevertheless, the musician and E Road Band chief’s followers had been fast to level out the error on this assumption, with one replying: “They weren’t booing they had been shouting ‘Brruuuuccceee!’”

One fan added: “For individuals who aren’t au fait with a Brooooce Springsteen viewers simply so you realize … they’re NOT booing they’re shouting Broooce NOT Boo.”

Norton himself quipped on the present: “To me, it nonetheless appears like booing. However it’s not – they love you.”

Springsteen, whose traditional albums embrace Born to Run, Nebraska and Born within the USA, is understood for his epic dwell exhibits alongside the E Road Band, which famously final for 3 hours.

His most up-to-date tour, which noticed the musician hit the highway for the primary time since earlier than the pandemic, is documented within the new movie, which is launched on 25 October.

It explores Springsteen’s place as, not solely a musical icon adored by hundreds of thousands of followers world wide, however a bandleader to his fellow musicians, together with Steven Van Zandt, Max Weinberg, Garry Tallent and his spouse, Patti Scialfa, who lately revealed her analysis of a number of myeloma.

In a brand new interview with The Instances, Springsteen stated that, today, the success behind performing so many prolonged dwell exhibits is “taking day off between exhibits”, which he described as “the largest change” with age.

“If we try this we will play at our prime kind, which is what I love to do at this level,” he stated. “I don’t wish to go on the market drained, as a result of we put the pedal to the steel for 3 hours straight. It’s enjoyable to overwhelm the viewers.”

The musician additionally revealed his primary weight loss plan that retains him “lean and imply” at age 75.

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Luka Modric turned the oldest participant in Actual Madrid’s historical past whereas additionally delivering the game-winning help in a 2-1 victory at Celta Vigo in La Liga on Saturday.

At 39 years, 40 days previous, the previous Ballon d’Or winner surpassed the milestone held by Ferenc Puskas since 1966 by 4 days. Modric went on as a second-half substitute after Celta pulled degree.

The Croatia midfielder instantly made an affect when he threaded a through-ball ahead for Vinícius Júnior to attain the 66th-minute winner at Balaidos Stadium.

“It was a hard-fought sport,” Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti mentioned. “However we knew hold in there and bought three necessary factors due to a fantastic go by Modric. Luka at all times offers us one thing.”

Kylian Mbappé put the guests forward with a long-range strike within the twentieth, just for Williot Swedberg to equalize within the 51st from a cross by Óscar Mingueza.

That set the scene for Ancelotti to look to his bench and name on Modric to set issues proper for the defending champion.

When requested about Modric’s legacy with the membership, Ancelotti mentioned: “There’s nothing else to say a couple of unbelievable sport; he is a good skilled and with a personality. Actual Madrid has been, and is, fortunate to have him.”

Modric has probably the most titles within the historical past of Actual Madrid with 27, together with six Champions League titles and 4 Spanish leagues.

This victory was not a simple one, nonetheless.

Celta took it to the defending champions. Thibaut Courtois needed to save photographs by Swedberg and Jonathan Bamba, and Celta substitute Anastasios Douvikas went inches from grabbing an extra-time equalizer.

“We go away with a bittersweet feeling,” Celta midfielder Fran Beltran mentioned. “We took the sport at Actual Madrid and have been higher than them in stretches.”

Ancelotti’s facet stayed unbeaten by way of 10 rounds in La Liga and pulled degree with Barcelona earlier than it hosts Sevilla on Sunday.

Madrid began a busy week with a house sport towards Borussia Dortmund within the Champions League on Tuesday earlier than it hosts Barcelona within the first clasico of the season subsequent weekend.

Williams double

Iñaki Williams scored twice as Athletic Bilbao rolled to a 4-1 win at dwelling over the promoted Espanyol.

Spain striker Mikel Oyarzabal scored with a header for Actual Sociedad to beat Girona 1-0, whereas Actual Betis ahead Chimy Avila struck to safe a 2-1 win over Osasuna, his earlier membership.

___

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Leicester’s Jordan Ayew scored within the 98th minute as Leicester staged a second-half comeback to earn a 3-2 win at Southampton within the Premier League, with the 10-man hosts setting a membership report of 21 matches with out victory within the English top-flight.

Southampton, whose final Premier League win got here earlier than their relegation within the 2022-23 season, opened the scoring early on when Ryan Manning squared for Cameron Archer to complete a sweeping counter-attack, earlier than midfielder Joe Aribo added to their tally with a side-footed effort.

Leicester pulled one again within the sixty fourth minute after Facundo Buonanotte turned in a cross after a driving run from substitute Abdul Fatawu. Leicester’s Jamie Vardy gained a penalty ten minutes later after a VAR evaluate discovered he was held again by Ryan Fraser.

Fraser was despatched off and Vardy stepped up, blasting his effort previous Aaron Ramsdale, earlier than Ayew despatched a low shot by a sea of our bodies to grab a late victory and break the hearts of dwelling followers at St Mary’s Stadium.

Leicester scored three second-half targets to return from behind and stun 10-player Southampton, denying them a primary Premier League win of the season after a gripping 3-2 success at St Mary’s.

The outcome means Saints have set a membership report for the longest winless run of their complete top-flight historical past, having did not emerge victorious from any of their final 21 Premier League encounters.

Supervisor Russell Martin insisted he had no considerations about his future.

“No, [I don’t have fears about getting sacked,” he said. “I had a brilliant chat with Dragan [Solak, Southampton owner] and the fellows yesterday. We had a board assembly.

“It was deliberate, so you’ll be able to chill out. I would not provide you with any particulars if we have been sitting high of the Premier League.”

Inside 5 minutes, Joe Aribo had crashed a header onto the crossbar and inside seven minutes, the hosts had taken the lead. Kyle Walker-Peters led the cost after a fast free-kick and dropped the ball off to Ryan Manning, who squared for Cameron Archer to coolly slot in and ship a wave of each aid and perception round St Mary’s.

Aribo completed off the same transfer, with Walker-Peters the architect, to double the lead earlier than the half-hour and Saints flew out of the traps after the break, trying to end off the job so as to take their foot off the pedal considerably.

Leicester nonetheless had not had a shot heading in the right direction by the hour, so three factors have been inside their grasp. Till they weren’t any extra.

Abdul Fatawu had a near-immediate influence, attending to the byline and hanging a ball up that Facundo Buonanotte helped in on the far submit. Then, he rattled the crossbar with a shot from distance and examined Aaron Ramsdale shortly after the ball was stored in play.

Nevertheless, VAR noticed that, after the save, Ryan Fraser had held again Jamie Vardy and denied him a goalscoring alternative. Anthony Taylor went to the monitor and returned quickly after, with a pink card for Fraser and a penalty award to Leicester.

Vardy slammed dwelling the spot-kick to stage the sport and, from there, Saints have been, understandably deflated. It regarded as if they’d maintain on for a degree, however with one of many ultimate kicks of the sport, Jordan Ayew was discovered unmarked at a nook.

He squeezed a shot previous Ramsdale and into the underside proper nook to spark a refrain of boos and a mass exodus from the house followers.

Martin: Fraser’s sending off modified the sport – however winner was preventable

Southampton supervisor Russell Martin:

“We’ve a person despatched off and it adjustments the context of the sport utterly. We began the sport brilliantly, performed so properly. I believed we began the second half rather well and regarded like we have been going to attain a 3rd purpose. Then they scored in opposition to the run of play.

“Even at 2-1, it was okay, it was high quality and it settled down a bit, then Ryan will get despatched off and it adjustments every part. They scored a penalty after that, the lads defended with absolute spirit, struggle and togetherness.

“We introduced Kamaldeen [Sulemana] to provide us one second within the field and he had it and did not benefit from it. Then we conceded. Somebody does not do what they’re requested to do from a nook, once more, identical as at Ipswich.

“We do [a lot of work on set-pieces] and we should always have scored one immediately. We defended brilliantly in opposition to the perfect set-piece group in Europe in opposition to Arsenal and immediately, we have been right down to 10 males, one individual had one job to do this would have stopped that purpose they usually did not.

“The priority is that the individual did not do it. It isn’t about element or lack of labor. It could be a priority if we had an absence of element, an absence of labor, but it surely’s about taking accountability and doing what you are requested to do.”

On whether or not he fears for his job after one other defeat: “No. I had a superb chat with Dragan [Solak, Southampton owner] and the fellows yesterday [Friday]. We had a board assembly.”

“It was deliberate, so you’ll be able to chill out. I would not provide you with any particulars if we have been sitting high of the Premier League.”

Cooper: Comeback confirmed how collectively Leicester are

Leicester supervisor Steve Cooper:

“It ended up being a superb day and can hopefully be memorable for the season. We did not defend the targets properly sufficient within the first half, in fact, however I at all times felt we have been within the recreation.

“We missed a few probabilities within the first half from set-pieces, we hit the woodwork and thought we should always have accomplished higher within the first half, I used to be additionally fairly assured the sport may change.

“We requested the gamers at half-time, after the tactical issues and a number of the messages, to actually imagine in themselves, to actually again themselves and to stay collectively – and that is what we did. At this time’s a extremely good present of how collectively we’re.

“It is a good win for the supporters. It is the primary away win of the season, we have gone back-to-back and we have to take every part out of the sport immediately, study, proceed to enhance, proceed to attempt and we’ll proceed to get higher as properly.”

Story of the match in stats

What’s developing within the Premier League?

Luka Modric has turn into the oldest participant in Actual Madrid’s historical past at 39 years and 40 days previous, overtaking their legendary Hungarian ahead Ferenc Puskas.

Modric’s longevity on the prime of the sport is sort of unrivalled. The Croatia midfielder’s 27 trophies throughout 13 seasons with Madrid are probably the most of any participant in membership historical past and he’ll quickly rack up 550 appearances (he’s on 547). Striker Raul is the membership’s file look maker, having featured in 741 video games from 1994-2010.

“By all of the parameters of soccer… Luka ought to have retired a few years in the past,” his buddy and former Madrid striker Predrag Mijatovic informed The Athletic last yr. “However then you definately see him play and it’s important to say, ‘This man just isn’t 38 (as he was then), he’s 28’.”

Right here, we take a look at what Modric’s friends have mentioned about him, the gamers he has overtaken to turn into Madrid’s oldest ever and the way that file compares within the Champions League and La Liga — in addition to recapping a few of his finest moments with the Spanish membership.

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What have Modric’s former team-mates and coaches mentioned about him?

Final yr, The Athletic printed a chunk by which individuals who have performed with and managed Modric paid tribute after he reached 500 appearances for Madrid — turning into solely the twelfth participant to take action. Listed below are a few of the highlights:

Ivan Rakitic, former Croatia team-mate: “He’s a lesson for all of us that age is only a quantity — he’s nonetheless enjoying at a really excessive stage, we’re having fun with the soccer he’s giving us, so let him hold doing the identical and let the remainder of us hold having fun with it.”

Slaven Bilic, ex-Croatia coach: “Individuals ask me, ‘Did he change?’. After all he modified, however just like the iPhone modifications each couple of years. They’ve reached the iPhone 15 or 16 — he has additionally upgraded, however he had all of it to start with.”

Predrag Mijatovic, former striker and sporting director for Actual Madrid: “You speak to him now and even with every part he has gained, he’s nonetheless loopy about successful. You say to him, ‘What distinction does it make to have one trophy extra or one much less?’. However no. It’s unbelievable. His ambition, it’s totally different. He’s by no means blissful — he needs increasingly.”

You possibly can learn the complete piece right here.

What are a few of Modric’s finest moments for Madrid?

It’s inconceivable to checklist all of Modric’s highlights in a Actual Madrid shirt. However we’ve had a go right here. Be happy to recommend your personal within the feedback.

Objective towards Manchester United, Champions League final 16 second leg, March 2013

The second Modric’s Madrid profession took off after a blended first season following his transfer from Tottenham Hotspur of the Premier League.

After the primary leg completed 1-1 on the Bernabeu, Madrid had been 1-0 down at Previous Trafford following a Sergio Ramos own-goal. Nani had been proven a controversial crimson card to cut back the house facet to 10 males however Modric made positive Madrid’s nerves had been really settled when he picked up the ball in United’s half, skipped previous Michael Carrick and rifled dwelling a right-footed end through the put up from distance.

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📆 Tal día como hoy en 2013…
🎩 ¡La magia de @lukamodric10 es ♾️!
🆚 @ManUtd_Es #RealFootball pic.twitter.com/Etd8FquAlM

— Actual Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) March 5, 2023

Nook for Sergio Ramos aim towards Atletico Madrid, Champions League ultimate, Could 2014

Everybody remembers Ramos because the hero of La Decima — Madrid’s beforehand elusive tenth European Cup/Champions League trophy — however the centre-back’s late header to pressure further time got here from a sometimes wonderful Modric supply. Probably the most important aim in Madrid’s trendy historical past — and one made by Modric.

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⏱️ 92:48.
🏆 LA DÉCIMA#RealFootball | #OTD pic.twitter.com/yGpC0N9j5v

— Actual Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) May 24, 2023

Objective towards Barcelona, La Liga, October 2020

This aim loses one thing due to the setting — an empty Camp Nou throughout the pandemic — however it nonetheless demonstrates a few of Modric’s finest traits.

With Madrid 2-1 up and Barcelona goalkeeper Neto scrambling as Modric receives the ball on the sting of the realm, he deftly shifts to the suitable, then to his left, with Neto helpless, earlier than poking dwelling with the skin of his proper boot.

For viewers within the UK:

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Luka Modric absolutely seals the Clasico victory for the reigning champions! 🔥

Neto’s spill created the possibility, however the Croatian was so composed in biding his time and making use of the end 👏 pic.twitter.com/sbKw7WBr05

— Premier Sports activities (@PremSportsTV) October 24, 2020

For viewers within the U.S.:

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¡Y llegó el gol de Luka Modric!
El croata marcó el tercero del @realmadrid #ElClásico #beINClásico pic.twitter.com/YeOFogt3Y4

— beIN SPORTS Español (@ESbeINSPORTS) October 24, 2020

By means of ball for Karim Benzema towards Paris Saint-Germain, Champions League final 16 second leg, March 2022

The primary in a collection of exceptional comebacks by Madrid en path to successful their 14th European Cup.

Madrid had been drawing 1-1 with Paris Saint-Germain on the Bernabeu and dropping 2-1 on mixture with 14 minutes of the 90 to go when Modric regained possession in his personal half, burst previous Neymar and Idrissa Gueye and performed an inch-perfect by way of ball for Vinicius Junior. The winger held up play earlier than offloading to an unmarked Modric, who threaded one other fantastic go for Benzema to attain his second of the evening, earlier than the Frenchman accomplished his hat-trick with the winner two minutes later.

Exterior-of-the-boot go to Rodrygo towards Chelsea, Champions League quarter-final second leg, April 2022

One other essential Modric second in a Champions League comeback that season.

Chelsea had by some means fought again from a 3-1 first-leg loss at dwelling to guide 3-0 in Madrid, and 4-3 on mixture with 10 minutes of the 90 remaining. Which is when Modric took management, trying up and enjoying a exceptional outside-of-the-boot go for Rodrygo to run onto and draw the perimeters stage total. Benzema then gained the tie in further time.

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🅰️ Masterclass of assists!@lukamodric10 | #Modrić2024 pic.twitter.com/HKcI4SCpCn

— Actual Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) June 26, 2023

Who’re Madrid’s different oldest gamers?

Ferenc Puskas (39 years and 37 days)

One of the iconic gamers in Madrid’s historical past — as a lot as for his backstory as for what he achieved within the Spanish capital.

Puskas starred for the Hungary staff who inflicted a 6-3 defeat on England in 1953 — their first loss towards international opposition at Wembley — and reached the next yr’s World Cup ultimate. Then, in 1956, he took benefit of a tour by his membership facet, Budapest’s Honved, to go away his dwelling nation after the Soviet Union quashed an tried rebellion there. World governing physique FIFA subsequently imposed a two-year enjoying ban on Puskas on the Hungarian FA’s request.

That meant Puskas was 31 years previous and 18kg (40lb) chubby by the point he arrived at Madrid in 1958. Not that it mattered: he quickly slotted right into a staff who had been on their strategy to successful the primary 5 European Cups and earned the Spanish nickname ‘Canoncito Pum’ (roughly translated as ‘Booming Little Cannon’) for his highly effective left foot.

He went on to attain 242 occasions in 262 video games for Madrid, successful 5 La Liga titles and three European Cups — the latter together with 4 targets within the 7-3 win within the 1960 ultimate towards Eintracht Frankfurt at Glasgow’s Hampden Park, together with his buddy Alfredo Di Stefano getting the opposite three. “It was a kind of blissful occasions when the entire staff appeared to play brilliantly and we virtually achieved some type of footballing perfection,” he later mentioned, as quoted within the ebook Puskas On Puskas.

FIFA named its award for the most effective aim scored anyplace worldwide in a calendar yr after Puskas in 2009, three years after his dying at age 79 following a battle with Alzheimer’s illness.

Paco Buyo (38 years and 63 days)

Buyo was the goalkeeper behind the staff often called ‘La Quinta del Buitre’ — ‘The Vulture’s Cohort’, referring to striker Emilio Butragueno’s nickname and his fellow academy graduates Manolo Sanchis, Rafael Martin Vazquez, Michel and Miguel Pardeza.

Although he was not a kind of homegrown stars, becoming a member of from Sevilla in 1986, Buyo performed a key function in 4 of the 5 La Liga titles the facet gained in a row from 1986-90. He stood out for his velocity, reflexes and distinctive type, usually speeding out of his space to intercept passes and would even dribble previous opponents after successful possession.

“A lot of individuals referred to as me loopy… however I used to be forward of my time,” he informed Spanish newspaper El Mundo in 2021. “After we watch soccer now, who was the loopy one? Immediately there’s a lot of reward for goalkeepers like me, however again then I used to be a Martian.”

He retired in 1997, after a season by which he didn’t characteristic in any respect following the arrival of German Bodo Illgner. Iker Casillas (with 725) is the one goalkeeper to have made extra appearances for Madrid than Buyo’s 451, the final of which was a 2-0 La Liga win towards Albacete in March 1996.

Jerzy Dudek (38 years and 59 days)

An outlier on this checklist, Dudek solely performed 12 occasions for Madrid after becoming a member of from Liverpool in 2007, two years after his Champions League ultimate heroics towards AC Milan in Istanbul.

“Actual Madrid spoke to me after we had been in Athens making ready for the Champions League ultimate (that Could, additionally towards Milan) and I used to be laughing saying, ‘Don’t joke with me’,” the Polish goalkeeper informed UK newspaper The Guardian in 2008. “I by no means thought it will be attainable to affix a much bigger membership than Liverpool, however I used to be improper.”

Dudek was hardly ever referred to as on as Casillas’ understudy however picked up a La Liga winner’s medal in his first season and one after the 2011 Copa del Rey ultimate, when Madrid beat Barcelona with the golf equipment’ El Clasico rivalry at its fiercest.

He was given a guard of honour by his team-mates and a standing ovation by the Bernabeu crowd when he was changed in his final senior look, towards Almeria in Could 2011.

Alfredo Di Stefano (37 years and 328 days)

Probably crucial participant in Madrid’s historical past.

Argentina-born Di Stefano joined the membership in 1953 and helped forge their legend by inspiring these first 5 European Cups in addition to eight La Liga titles. Nicknamed ‘La Saeta Rubia’ (The Blond Arrow), he was nominally a ahead however contributed everywhere in the pitch.

His seven targets in European Cup finals are solely matched by Puskas — Cristiano Ronaldo is the next-most prolific in Champions League/European Cup finals with 4 for Manchester United and Madrid — and he was the membership’s file goalscorer with 308 in 396 video games till Raul surpassed him in 2009 (Cristiano Ronaldo and Benzema have since overtaken the latter). Madrid’s web site merely describes Di Stefano as ‘One of the best footballer of all time’.

Di Stefano went on to have two spells as Madrid’s supervisor within the Eighties and Nineteen Nineties and was named an honorary president of the membership, however that was small potatoes in comparison with his achievements as a participant. When he died in 2014, aged 88, his casket was displayed on the Bernabeu.

“In 50 years, Actual Madrid gained two La Liga titles,” their former participant, supervisor, sporting director and now-pundit Jorge Valdano wrote for newspaper El Pais after his dying. “Alfredo arrived and, within the subsequent 50, the membership gained extra titles than all of the Spanish groups put collectively. Such a stable reality doesn’t want nuance, as a result of that’s referred to as altering historical past.”

How does Modric’s file evaluate with the marks for the La Liga and the Champions League?

Modric has a strategy to go till he turns into the oldest Champions League participant — that honour belongs to the Italian goalkeeper Marco Ballotta, who was 43 years and 252 days previous when he performed for Lazio towards Actual Madrid in a 3-1 group-stage defeat in December 2007.

He’ll have to attend even longer if he needs to turn into the oldest participant in La Liga historical past: Englishman Harry Lowe was 48 when he turned out for Actual Sociedad in 1935.

However there may be another file Modric might be aiming for this season — turning into the oldest participant to win the Champions League. He’s at the moment second on that checklist, behind Milan nice Paolo Maldini, after Madrid’s overcome Borussia Dortmund at Wembley final season.

Maldini was 38 years and 331 days previous when Milan beat Liverpool in that 2007 ultimate talked about above. When the 2024-25 ultimate takes place at Munich’s Allianz Stadium on Could 31, Modric might be 39 years and 264 days previous.

(High photograph: Guillermo Martinez/SOPA Photographs/LightRocket through Getty Photographs)