Wary Markram keeps unbeaten S Africa grounded ahead of NZ semi
South Africa may be in red‑hot form at the Twenty20 World Cup, but captain Aiden Markram said they will take nothing for granted in Wednesday's semi‑final against New Zealand, especially with his side moving to a new venue for them in the tournament, Reuters reported.
The 2024 runners‑up are the only unbeaten team, winning all seven matches, five of them in Ahmedabad, and the victories include a seven-wicket thumping of New Zealand in the group stage.
"I wish cricket was that easy," Markram, who has often set the tone for his team in the powerplay, said with a wry smile at a press conference on Tuesday, according to Reuters.
Como hold Inter to scoreless draw in Coppa Italia
Como and Inter played out a 0-0 draw in their Coppa Italia semi-final first leg clash on Tuesday, where the hosts wasted a gilt-edged chance to take a lead into the return game while the visitors failed to register a single shot on target, Reuters reported.
Como's Nico Paz forced Inter goalkeeper Josep Martinez into a save and Mergim Vojvoda sent a shot wide from a decent position in the area in a first half where the home side controlled the tempo and created the best chances.
Alex Valle should have put Como in front just after the break but the defender was left kicking the post in frustration after somehow sending his effort wide when Ivan Smolcic's cross found him unmarked in the six-yard box, according to Reuters.
Atletico reach Copa del Rey final despite 3-0 loss at Barcelona
Atletico Madrid reached the Copa del Rey final for the first time since 2013 despite a 3-0 defeat by Barcelona on Tuesday, their 4-0 first-leg win in Madrid enough to secure a 4-3 aggregate victory in a breathless semifinal, Reuters reported.
Barcelona came within a whisker ‌of an improbable comeback after last month's thrashing, with 18-year-old midfielder Marc Bernal, starting in place of the injured Frenkie De Jong, scoring in each half and Raphinha converting a penalty after Pedri was fouled.
"We're in the final, that's what matters," Atletico keeper Juan Musso told Movistar Plus. "We knew it could be difficult. They're one of the best teams in the world but we got through because we scored more goals than they did overall. That's what's all about."
Bottom side Wolves stun lacklustre Liverpool with 2-1 win
Rodrigo Gomes and Andre scored late goals as bottom side Wolverhampton Wanderers secured a 2-1 Premier League victory over Liverpool at Molineux on Tuesday to give them back-to-back wins over top-five teams, Reuters reported.
Liverpool have 48 points from 29 games and are fifth in the table, while Wolves’ recent improvement has moved them to 16 points from 30 matches.
Victory for Chelsea at Aston Villa on Wednesday will see champions Liverpool drop to sixth in the table and out of the Champions League qualification places following a ninth defeat of the campaign. They have not lost 10 league games in a season for a decade, according to Reuters.



