Sports

Napoli defeat Genoa 3-2 in stoppage time in Serie A

Napoli secured a dramatic 3-2 victory over Genoa thanks to a brace from Hoyland, continuing their pursuit of Inter and Milan in the Italian league despite numerical disadvantages and injuries.

Published

15 minutes ago

February 8, 2026

Saudi Arabia News - saudinews50

In a thrilling night of football that kept everyone on the edge of their seats until the very last moment, Napoli snatched a dramatic and precious 3-2 away victory against Genoa in the 24th round of the Italian Serie A. This win not only secured the three points for the defending champions but also kept their title hopes alive, strengthening their hold on third place and maintaining pressure on Milan's two giants, Inter and AC Milan.

The match began explosively, with the home side surprising the visitors with an early goal in the third minute from a penalty successfully converted by Ukrainian Ruslan Malinovskyi. However, Antonio Conte's men responded swiftly and decisively; within just two minutes, Napoli turned the game around. Danish midfielder Rasmus Hojlund equalized in the 20th minute, before Scottish midfielder Scott McTominay added a second goal in the 21st minute, giving Napoli temporary control of the match.

The second half held real drama that almost shattered Napoli's hopes. After a glaring defensive error, Lorenzo Colombo managed to equalize for Genoa in the 57th minute. The visitors' troubles increased when they were forced to finish the match with ten men after Brazilian defender Juan Jesus was sent off in the 76th minute for receiving his second yellow card, putting the team under immense pressure to at least secure a point.

Just when everyone thought the match was headed for a draw, substitute Maxwell Cornet made a fatal error in stoppage time, gifting Napoli a crucial penalty. The in-form Rasmus Hoyland stepped up and converted successfully in the 95th minute, scoring his second goal of the match and his eighth of the season, securing a hard-fought victory for his team.

This result is of paramount importance to Napoli, especially given the team's recent struggles. Following their bitter Champions League exit at the hands of Chelsea and a resounding domestic defeat to Juventus, the team desperately needed to regain confidence. This victory lifts Napoli to 49 points, narrowing the gap to just one point behind second-placed Milan and six points behind league leaders Inter, pending the outcome of the upcoming matches between the two rivals.

Regarding absences, Napoli proved their ability to overcome adversity despite a long list of injuries plaguing their ranks, including big names like Belgian Kevin De Bruyne, Cameroonian André-Frank Anguissa, and captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo, in addition to Scott McTominay, who was forced to leave the match early. The team hopes that their winter signings, such as Brazilian-Tunisian striker Alisson Santos, will bolster their attacking options in the crucial upcoming matches.

In another context within the same round, the match between Torino and Fiorentina witnessed similar excitement, as Fiorentina squandered a victory that was within reach after turning a one-goal deficit into a two-goal lead through Manor Solomon and Moise Kean, but Torino snatched a deadly 2-2 draw in stoppage time through Guillermo Maripán, leaving “La Viola” struggling at the bottom of the standings.

Sports

Turki Al-Dajm: Media is not a business – A vision of the reality of sports media

Turki Al-Dajm’s article, ‘Media is not a business,’ discusses the difference between media professionalism and a commercial mindset, and the importance of specialization in developing sports media and keeping pace with current transformations.

Published

41 minutes ago

February 8, 2026

Saudi Arabia News - saudinews50

In an article imbued with profound professional insights, writer and journalist Turki Al-Daajam raises a crucial issue at the heart of contemporary media work, under the title "Media is Not a Business ." This argument highlights the fundamental differences between creating innovative content and treating media as a commercial commodity subject to profit and loss calculations akin to those of construction companies.

The difference between media messaging and business mindset

Al-Da'jam argues that media is a noble mission and an industry that relies primarily on intellect, creativity, and high professionalism. Words are a trust, images are a message, and analysis is a vision. These elements cannot be treated with the logic of "bidding" or by seeking the lowest price, as happens in the contracting sector. Confusing these two concepts leads to the superficiality of content and empties it of its purposeful meaning, negatively impacting the audience's awareness.

General context and evolution of the media landscape

This vision comes at a time when the media landscape, particularly sports media, is undergoing radical transformations at both the local and regional levels. With the tremendous technological advancements and the rapid flow of information, new challenges have emerged, including the influx of outsiders who treat media platforms as purely commercial ventures, disregarding professional ethics and sound journalistic standards. This historical context underscores the importance of returning to professional principles, where the media was led by specialists who understood the magnitude of their responsibility.

The risks and impact of media "contracting"

Treating the media with a business-oriented mindset leads to several negative consequences, most notably:

Lack of specialization: Assigning tasks to those who are not qualified based on relationships or lower cost.
Weak content: Focus on cheap sensationalism instead of in-depth analysis and educational content.
Decline in credibility: When the goal becomes "getting the project done" in any way possible, accuracy and objectivity disappear.

The importance of specialization in the next stage

This proposal gains added importance given the significant developments taking place in the sports and entertainment sector in Saudi Arabia and the wider region. Major international events and hosting of large-scale events demand a professional media landscape that keeps pace with this qualitative shift—a media crafted by "architects of the word," not "contractors." The anticipated impact of adhering to professional standards will enhance the soft power of sports media, transforming it into a genuine partner in development and success, rather than a burden hindering progress.

In conclusion, the proposal emphasizes the need to restore the profession's prestige, respect specialization, and stress that media is a heavy industry that requires thought and awareness, and is not just a commercial deal that ends with handing over the key.

Sports

Rodgers comments on Al-Qadisiyah and Al-Fateh's draw in the Roshan League

Al-Qadisiyah coach Brendan Rodgers expressed his dissatisfaction with the draw against Al-Fateh in the Roshan League, describing the performance as the worst for the team, and stressing the need to make up for it and chase Al-Ahli.

Published

3 hours ago

February 8, 2026

Saudi Arabia News - saudinews50

In statements reflecting the high ambitions of the team this season, Al-Qadisiyah's Northern Irish coach, Brendan Rodgers, expressed deep sadness and clear disappointment following his team's 1-1 draw against Al-Fateh. The match, played on Saturday evening as part of the 21st round of the Saudi Professional League, was a result the veteran coach considered a loss of two valuable points in the race for the top spots.

Brendan Rodgers spoke candidly in the post-match press conference, offering a rather harsh assessment of his team's performance: "I'm disappointed with this result. To be honest, it was our worst game in charge. We've dropped two very important points in our Roshan League campaign." This statement reflects the professional mentality Rodgers is trying to instill in the Bianconeri squad, where nothing less than a win will suffice to secure a top-four finish.

In his technical analysis of the match, the Irish coach addressed the significant absences, noting that the absence of striker Rutge had limited the team's attacking options. However, he refused to attribute the result solely to these absences. Rodgers said, "Rutge's absence undoubtedly affected some of the team's attacking options, but we must commend the performance of his replacement, Carvalho. We are a professional team, and we must manage the pressure of matches intelligently and leave no room for excuses.".

These statements come at a time of fierce competition in the Roshan League, as Al-Qadisiyah strives to establish itself among the elite. Rodgers concluded his remarks on an optimistic note, addressing the players and fans: “Al-Qadisiyah possesses a group of outstanding players capable of bouncing back stronger in the upcoming rounds. We must learn from today’s experience and quickly return to winning ways.”.

In terms of the league standings, despite the draw, Al-Qadisiyah raised its points tally to 44, maintaining its fourth position in the Roshan League. This point is significant as it keeps the team in direct pursuit of Al-Ahli, currently in third place. The gap has narrowed or stabilized at three points, making the upcoming rounds crucial in determining which teams will qualify for continental competitions and which will compete for the championship spots, especially given the significant development the club has witnessed on all administrative and technical levels.

Sports

Today's matches (Sunday): Liverpool vs. City and the Paris vs. Marseille clash

Check out today's match schedule across all leagues. Liverpool vs. Manchester City clash, Paris Saint-Germain vs. Marseille, and crucial African fixtures for Zamalek and Pyramids.

Published

3 hours ago

February 7, 2026

Saudi Arabia News - saudinews50

Football fans around the world will be glued to their screens this Sunday, as European, African, and domestic stadiums host a packed schedule of high-profile matches. This "Super Sunday" features numerous important games across the top five European leagues, as well as continental competitions in Africa, making it an exceptional day on the football calendar.

Premier League summit clash and battle for the top spot

The English Premier League steals the spotlight with a fiery clash considered the strongest in the world right now, as Liverpool hosts Manchester City. This match is of paramount importance not only to the fans of both teams but to all Premier League followers, given the intense rivalry between the two clubs in recent years for titles and the ongoing tactical battle that brings together some of the world's best players.

French Clasico and La Liga clashes

In the French league, fans eagerly await the "Classique" of French football between Paris Saint-Germain and Marseille, a match always characterized by intense rivalry and high fan attendance due to the historic sporting animosity between the two clubs. Meanwhile, in Spain, Real Madrid faces a tough away game against Valencia at the difficult Mestalla Stadium, while Atlético Madrid takes on Real Betis in a crucial match in the race for European qualification.

African missions for Egyptian clubs

On the African continental stage, Egyptian clubs face crucial matches in the Champions League and Confederation Cup. Zamalek faces a tough challenge against ZESCO, while Al Masry and Pyramids play important games to boost their chances of advancing, putting Egyptian football to a real test today.