Reuters Sports News Summary

He started all three games at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where Belgium failed to progress from their group. Soccer-Late goal gives Lazio a 2-2 draw against Lecce A late goal by Sergej Milinkovic-Savic rescued a 2-2 home draw for Lazio against relegation-threatened Lecce in Serie A on Friday but the capital club's hopes of a top-four finish remain in jeopardy.

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

NFL-Commanders reach agreement to sell franchise to Harris-led group

The Washington Commanders have reached an agreement to sell the storied National Football League (NFL) franchise to a group led by the co-owner of the NBA's Philadelphia 76ers and NHL's New Jersey Devils, Josh Harris, the two sides said on Friday. Financial terms of the deal, which is subject to league approval, were not disclosed though reports in April said the agreement was for an NFL-record price of $6.05 billion.

Soccer-Messi to start for PSG after in-house suspension

Lionel Messi will start Paris St Germain's Ligue 1 home game against AC Ajaccio on Saturday after returning to training following a club-imposed suspension, coach Christophe Galtier said on Friday. "I spoke with him on Tuesday to see what his mindset was and I found him very determined to play... He will start tomorrow," Galtier told a press conference.

Cycling-Bais wins stage seven of Giro after gruelling climb

Davide Bais of Eolo-Kometa won a gruelling stage seven of the Giro d'Italia on Friday after leading a three-man breakaway, beating Karel Vacek and Simone Petilli to the finish line for the first professional victory of his career. The seventh stage was one for the climbers on a 218-km ride from Capua to Gran Sasso d'Italia which involved flat roads at the start before the final climb of approximately 45km and a total altitude gain of 3,900 metres.

Tennis-Djokovic beats Etcheverry in Rome opener, Swiatek surges through

Holder Novak Djokovic began his hunt for a seventh Italian Open title by battling past the unseeded Tomas Martin Etcheverry 7-6(5) 6-2 on Friday while women's champion Iga Swiatek delivered a masterclass to reach the third round. Djokovic got off to a shaky start by dropping his serve in the opening game of the second-round match. The Serbian, who pulled out of the Madrid Open last month, wore a compression sleeve on his right arm, sparking concerns about a niggling elbow issue.

Horse racing-Kentucky Derby winner Mage to contest Preakness Stakes

Kentucky Derby winner Mage will run in the May 20 Preakness Stakes, the second leg of U.S. thoroughbred racing's Triple Crown, the chestnut colt's ownership group confirmed on Friday. Mage, a 15-1 shot at the Kentucky Derby, overtook Two Phil's down the stretch at Churchill Downs last week with jockey Javier Castellano aboard, to win the 1-1/4 mile race by one length.

Financiers say they sense new Agnelli openness over Italy's Juventus

Financiers who normally find it almost impossible to get the ear of the Agnelli family on the future of Italian soccer club Juventus say they now sense more of a willingness to listen. The "Old Lady", as Italy's most successful soccer club is known, is in the midst of tackling off-pitch issues and spiralling costs as it attempts to regain its magic.

Soccer-Belgium midfielder Witsel retires from international football

Belgium midfielder Axel Witsel has retired from the national side after more than 15 years of international duty. The 34-year-old Witsel earned 130 caps and was part of the team which finished third at the 2018 World Cup in Russia. He started all three games at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where Belgium failed to progress from their group.

Soccer-Late goal gives Lazio a 2-2 draw against Lecce

A late goal by Sergej Milinkovic-Savic rescued a 2-2 home draw for Lazio against relegation-threatened Lecce in Serie A on Friday but the capital club's hopes of a top-four finish remain in jeopardy. Lecce winger Remi Oudin cancelled out a goal by striker Ciro Immobile before halftime, adding another one shortly after the break before Milinkovic-Savic levelled the score again in stoppage time.

Golf-Ireland's Lawlor claims G4D Open title on historic day for golfers with disabilities

Ireland's Brendan Lawlor prevailed in a thrilling head-to-head battle with England's Kipp Popert to claim the inaugural G4D Open title for golfers with disabilities at Woburn's Duchess course on Friday. The overnight leader by a stroke, the 26-year-old Lawlor began with three bogeys and when Popert birdied the third, he trailed by two strokes on a cold and blustery day.

Rallying-Rovanpera leads in Portugal as WRC leader Evans crashes out

Toyota's world championship leader Elfyn Evans crashed out of the Rally of Portugal on Friday, with team mate Kalle Rovanpera top of the timesheets after the opening leg. Level on points with France's Sebastien Ogier after four rounds, Evans was running in sixth place when the Welsh driver went off the dusty, rock-strewn road on the day's penultimate Mortagua stage seven.

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