bbc--2020-08-15--O'Sullivan's lead reduced by battling Wilson in Crucible final

Last updated on .From the section Snooker Five-time champion Ronnie O'Sullivan was pegged back but leads Kyren Wilson 10-7 after a fascinating first day of the World Championship final .
Snooker 's showpiece saw the return of crowds in sport , with around 300 fans in attendance at the Crucible Theatre .
The best-of-35 final resumes on Sunday at 13:30 BST , live across the BBC .
The fourth and final session will begin at 19:30 , with the winner collecting the trophy and £500,000 in prize money .
Both players came through epic , final-frame deciders on Friday in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first final since 2014 , while Wilson is in his maiden world final .
Spectators had attended the first day of the tournament on 31 July but were barred thereafter because of changes in government guidelines , though this changed again in time for the final .
• None Relive the first day of the World Championship final Both players emerged through dramatic final-frame deciders in the semi-finals and O'Sullivan , who seemed to struggle with his cue action throughout , made breaks of 56 , 60 , 75 and 106 to go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wilson was struck by nerves in the opening exchanges , failing to settle , and the signs started to look ominous when his opponent took a tense eighth frame on the black for a sizeable , four-frame advantage .
Wilson started the session with 53 but broke down , as O'Sullivan forced an error in a tactical exchange to extend his lead , as well as making 51 for five in a row .
But then came 'The Warrior ' Wilson 's revival , fighting back to punish an O'Sullivan - whose long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with 92 , 50 and 58 en route to reducing his arrears to two frames at 8-6 .
He was in again in the 15th frame but inadvertently knocked in the red when potting the blue , ensuring O'Sullivan guaranteed himself an overnight lead .
And although Wilson made a century on the penultimate frame of the day , missing the last red in the 17th frame proved costly as O'Sullivan cleared up for a three-frame overnight buffer .
Kyren will sleep the easier of the two players , Ronnie will be worried @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the morning to get his cue action back .
The picture of Ronnie walking off at the end , wiping his brow , shows you he has been through the mill today .
It is all very well thinking it comes easy to Ronnie O'Sullivan , but sometimes he has to sit and suffer when he goes off the boil and Kyren has his tail up .
An interesting set-up now but he has to come back on Sunday and generate some more action .
It is set up lovely , for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be one-way traffic , they have another think coming .
Kyren Wilson won the second session but it was almost undone by that missed red , which you would not expect him to miss .
What a turning point this may prove to be in the whole match .
That could have been 9-8 but he has thrown the frame to Ronnie , who duly held his nerve and bottle .
He will be over the moon to be 10-7 up .
Sign up to My Sport to follow snooker news on @ @ @ @

Betfred World Championship Venue: Crucible Theatre, Sheffield Final dates: 15-16 August Coverage: Watch live on BBC One, BBC Two, BBC Four and Red Button, with uninterrupted coverage on BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and BBC Sport app. Full details and times.
Five-time champion Ronnie O'Sullivan was pegged back but leads Kyren Wilson 10-7 after a fascinating first day of the World Championship final.
O'Sullivan was gifted opportunities as he opened up an 8-2 lead but a rejuvenated Wilson responded by taking five of the next seven frames.
Snooker's showpiece saw the return of crowds in sport, with around 300 fans in attendance at the Crucible Theatre.
The best-of-35 final resumes on Sunday at 13:30 BST, live across the BBC.
The fourth and final session will begin at 19:30, with the winner collecting the trophy and £500,000 in prize money.
Both players came through epic, final-frame deciders on Friday in Sheffield, with O'Sullivan appearing in his first final since 2014, while Wilson is in his maiden world final.
Spectators had attended the first day of the tournament on 31 July but were barred thereafter because of changes in government guidelines, though this changed again in time for the final.
'The Warrior' battles back
Both players emerged through dramatic final-frame deciders in the semi-finals and O'Sullivan, who seemed to struggle with his cue action throughout, made breaks of 56, 60, 75 and 106 to go 5-2 in front.
World number eight Wilson was struck by nerves in the opening exchanges, failing to settle, and the signs started to look ominous when his opponent took a tense eighth frame on the black for a sizeable, four-frame advantage.
Wilson started the session with 53 but broke down, as O'Sullivan forced an error in a tactical exchange to extend his lead, as well as making 51 for five in a row.
But then came 'The Warrior' Wilson's revival, fighting back to punish an O'Sullivan - whose long potting was all over the place - with 92, 50 and 58 en route to reducing his arrears to two frames at 8-6.
He was in again in the 15th frame but inadvertently knocked in the red when potting the blue, ensuring O'Sullivan guaranteed himself an overnight lead.
And although Wilson made a century on the penultimate frame of the day, missing the last red in the 17th frame proved costly as O'Sullivan cleared up for a three-frame overnight buffer.
Analysis
Six-time world champion Steve Davis on BBC Two:
Kyren will sleep the easier of the two players, Ronnie will be worried and will be on the practice table in the morning to get his cue action back.
The picture of Ronnie walking off at the end, wiping his brow, shows you he has been through the mill today. It is all very well thinking it comes easy to Ronnie O'Sullivan, but sometimes he has to sit and suffer when he goes off the boil and Kyren has his tail up.
An interesting set-up now but he has to come back on Sunday and generate some more action.
1997 world champion Ken Doherty:
It is set up lovely, for all those who thought this was going to be one-way traffic, they have another think coming.
Kyren Wilson won the second session but it was almost undone by that missed red, which you would not expect him to miss. What a turning point this may prove to be in the whole match.
That could have been 9-8 but he has thrown the frame to Ronnie, who duly held his nerve and bottle. He will be over the moon to be 10-7 up.
Sign up to My Sport to follow snooker news on the BBC app.


bbc--2020-08-15--Late drama, a big shock, glorious chaos and a real sitter - four nights of football madness

For the first time in 24 years , there will be no English or Spanish sides in the Champions League semi-finals after Lyon stunned Manchester City in Portugal .
Not since the 1995-96 season , when Marcello Lippi 's eventual champions Juventus and Louis van Gaal 's Ajax overcame Nantes and Panathinaikos respectively , has the Premier League or La Liga failed to be represented in the final four .
But following four enthralling last-eight match-ups , Germany and France provide two clubs apiece in the battle for European club football 's greatest prize in 2020 .
The semi-finals will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with RB Leipzig in action against Paris St-Germain the night before .
After enduring mockery as a lowly 'Farmers League ' by fans from elsewhere , PSG striker Kylian Mbappe had something to say about all that ...
The first hint at what was to come in this mini-tournament was offered in sensational style , as Paris St-Germain - victims of some stunning Champions League comebacks themselves in recent years - scored twice in the dying moments to break Atalanta hearts .
Marquinhos ' 90th-minute equaliser rescued PSG , who had trailed since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ City frontman Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting 's 93rd-minute winner sealed the French side 's first semi-final appearance for 25 years .
The goals were separated by just 146 seconds .
Champions League debutants Atalanta were speechless .
The one-game quarter-final shootouts were well and truly under way .
The new one-legged 'final-eight ' format in Portugal , introduced to bring a swifter end to an interrupted Champions League campaign a mere 414 days after the qualifying rounds for the 2019-20 edition began , always had the potential to deliver seismic shocks .
RB Leipzig @ @ @ @ @ @ @ semi-final just 11 years after the club was formed duly delivered on that promise - arriving at the expense of Diego Simeone 's steely Atletico Madrid who had outmanoeuvred reigning champions Liverpool en route .
To the delight of neutrals there was more late drama to digest , as Tyler Adams ' deflected shot two minutes from time took Julian Nagelsmann 's side to a semi-final meeting with PSG .
The standout tie of the round certainly delivered , just not in the way that anyone could have predicted .
Rather than two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Munich recast their meeting with Barcelona as a devastating advert of their current superiority in an 8-2 dismantling of Quique Setien 's shell-shocked side .
It was the first time a team has ever scored eight goals in a Champions League knockout match and the first time Barcelona have lost a match by six since 1951 as the German champions ran riot .
The 2019-20 season will also be the first since 2005-06 not to feature Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo in the Champions League semi-final stage .
Having taken note of RB @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Madrid , Lyon kindly asked the German side to hold their beer on Saturday night .
Pep Guardiola 's Premier League side were overwhelming favourites to advance past a side which finished a curtailed Ligue 1 season in seventh place , well adrift of any European qualification for next season .
In a game ultimately defined by uncharacteristic errors , the game and *that* elusive trophy agonisingly swung away from Manchester City in exactly 60 seconds , as Raheem Sterling miscued with the goal gaping at 2-1 before Ederson spilled a save into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his second .
Sterling could n't believe it .
But after four nights of baffling brilliance , we all could .

Last updated on .From the section European Football
Pep Guardiola has again failed to reach a Champions League final with a team other than Barcelona
For the first time in 24 years, there will be no English or Spanish sides in the Champions League semi-finals after Lyon stunned Manchester City in Portugal.
Not since the 1995-96 season, when Marcello Lippi's eventual champions Juventus and Louis van Gaal's Ajax overcame Nantes and Panathinaikos respectively, has the Premier League or La Liga failed to be represented in the final four.
But following four enthralling last-eight match-ups, Germany and France provide two clubs apiece in the battle for European club football's greatest prize in 2020.
The semi-finals will see Bayern Munich face Lyon on Wednesday with RB Leipzig in action against Paris St-Germain the night before.
After enduring mockery as a lowly 'Farmers League' by fans from elsewhere, PSG striker Kylian Mbappe had something to say about all that...
The late, late drama
PSG hero Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting had not scored since facing amateur side Linas-Montlhery in the French Cup on 5 January
Game 1: Atalanta 1-2 Paris St-Germain
The first hint at what was to come in this mini-tournament was offered in sensational style, as Paris St-Germain - victims of some stunning Champions League comebacks themselves in recent years - scored twice in the dying moments to break Atalanta hearts.
Marquinhos' 90th-minute equaliser rescued PSG, who had trailed since the 26th minute, before former Stoke City frontman Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting's 93rd-minute winner sealed the French side's first semi-final appearance for 25 years.
The goals were separated by just 146 seconds. Champions League debutants Atalanta were speechless. The one-game quarter-final shootouts were well and truly under way.
The big surprises
RB Leipzig have risen from the fifth tier in Germany to the Champions League semi-finals in 11 years
Game 2: RB Leipzig 2-1 Atletico Madrid
The new one-legged 'final-eight' format in Portugal, introduced to bring a swifter end to an interrupted Champions League campaign a mere 414 days after the qualifying rounds for the 2019-20 edition began, always had the potential to deliver seismic shocks.
RB Leipzig's progression to a first Champions League semi-final just 11 years after the club was formed duly delivered on that promise - arriving at the expense of Diego Simeone's steely Atletico Madrid who had outmanoeuvred reigning champions Liverpool en route.
To the delight of neutrals there was more late drama to digest, as Tyler Adams' deflected shot two minutes from time took Julian Nagelsmann's side to a semi-final meeting with PSG.
The glorious chaos
Thomas Muller opened the scoring, and made it 4-1 in the 31st minute
Game 3: Barcelona 2-8 Bayern Munich
The standout tie of the round certainly delivered, just not in the way that anyone could have predicted.
Rather than two European heavyweights exchanging knockout blows, Bayern Munich recast their meeting with Barcelona as a devastating advert of their current superiority in an 8-2 dismantling of Quique Setien's shell-shocked side.
It was the first time a team has ever scored eight goals in a Champions League knockout match and the first time Barcelona have lost a match by six since 1951 as the German champions ran riot. The 2019-20 season will also be the first since 2005-06 not to feature Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo in the Champions League semi-final stage.
One terrible missed sitter
Raheem Sterling blew a golden chance to make it 2-2
Game 4: Man City 1-3 Lyon
Having taken note of RB Leipzig's toppling of Spanish giants Atletico Madrid, Lyon kindly asked the German side to hold their beer on Saturday night.
Pep Guardiola's Premier League side were overwhelming favourites to advance past a side which finished a curtailed Ligue 1 season in seventh place, well adrift of any European qualification for next season.
In a game ultimately defined by uncharacteristic errors, the game and *that* elusive trophy agonisingly swung away from Manchester City in exactly 60 seconds, as Raheem Sterling miscued with the goal gaping at 2-1 before Ederson spilled a save into the path of Moussa Dembele to score his second.
Sterling couldn't believe it. But after four nights of baffling brilliance, we all could.


bbc--2020-08-15--Former F1 world champion Alonso to start Indy 500 in 26th place

Last updated on .From the section Motorsport Double Formula 1 world champion Fernando Alonso will start the Indianapolis 500 in 26th place .
Alonso said : `` Did not have the speed but happy with the run .
Some interesting people around our position .
`` Always very intense for four laps at Indy !
Now one day less for the big one .
Race car felt good . ''
It is Alonso 's third attempt at Indy as he aims to become only the second man after Graham Hill to win the 'triple crown ' of Monaco Grand Prix @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was a contender for victory on his Indy 500 debut in 2017 , driving a McLaren-branded Andretti Autosport car , but failed to qualify last year in a one-off attempt by McLaren , which the team admitted to mishandling .
McLaren have this year set up their own IndyCar team , who are racing in the championship with Mexican Patricio 'Pato ' O'Ward and American Oliver Askew , who qualified 15th and 21st on Saturday .
Saturday 's qualifying session sets positions 10 to 30 on the grid for the race , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2.5-mile superspeedway .
The fastest nine drivers compete for pole position on Sunday afternoon , while the slowest three on Saturday run again to decide the order of the final row of the grid .
Andretti led a one-two-three-four for the Andretti Autosport team run by his father Michael Andretti , ahead of Americans Ryan Hunter-Reay and Alex Rossi and Canadian James Hinchliffe .
After a promising start over the first two days of practice , Alonso crashed late on Thursday afternoon , sliding sideways into the wall at Turn Four after he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the corner and lost grip .
He was never competitive in qualifying trim either on the final day of pre-qualifying practice , known as 'Fast Friday ' , or on Saturday .
Arrow McLaren , an affiliate of the McLaren F1 team , use Chevrolet engines , while Honda-engined cars dominated in qualifying .
Only one Chevrolet-engined car was in the top 12 .
Alonso qualified one place lower than last year 's winner , Frenchman Simon Pagenaud , who drives for the leading Penske team with Chevrolet engines .
Another former winner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , was 22nd .
Three-time winner Helio Castroneves , from Brazil , was 28th .
Five-time Indycar champion Scott Dixon , who won Indy in 2008 , was fifth fastest in his Honda-engined Ganassi car , and former F1 drivers Takuma Sato , the 2017 winner , and Marcus Ericsson ninth and 11th , also with Honda engines .

Last updated on .From the section Motorsport
Alonso made his Indy 500 debut in 2017
Double Formula 1 world champion Fernando Alonso will start the Indianapolis 500 in 26th place.
The 39-year-old Spaniard posted a four-lap qualifying speed of 228.678mph in his Arrow McLaren car. American Marco Andretti took pole at 231.068mph.
Alonso said: "Did not have the speed but happy with the run. Some interesting people around our position.
"Always very intense for four laps at Indy! Now one day less for the big one. Race car felt good."
It is Alonso's third attempt at Indy as he aims to become only the second man after Graham Hill to win the 'triple crown' of Monaco Grand Prix, Le Mans and Indy.
Alonso was a contender for victory on his Indy 500 debut in 2017, driving a McLaren-branded Andretti Autosport car, but failed to qualify last year in a one-off attempt by McLaren, which the team admitted to mishandling.
McLaren have this year set up their own IndyCar team, who are racing in the championship with Mexican Patricio 'Pato' O'Ward and American Oliver Askew, who qualified 15th and 21st on Saturday.
Saturday's qualifying session sets positions 10 to 33 on the grid for the race, which is on 23 August at the historic 2.5-mile superspeedway.
The fastest nine drivers competed for pole position on Sunday afternoon, with Ganassi Racing's Scott Dixon, a five-time Indycar champion and the 2008 Indy 500 winner, second from 2017 winner and ex-F1 driver Takuma Sato.
After a promising start over the first two days of practice, Alonso crashed late on Thursday afternoon, sliding sideways into the wall at Turn Four after he ran too low on the inside of the corner and lost grip.
He was never competitive in qualifying trim either on the final day of pre-qualifying practice, known as 'Fast Friday', or on Saturday.
Arrow McLaren, an affiliate of the McLaren F1 team, use Chevrolet engines, while Honda-engined cars dominated in qualifying. Only one Chevrolet-engined car was in the top 12. Rookie Rinus Veekay qualified in fourth.
Alonso qualified one place lower than last year's winner, Frenchman Simon Pagenaud, who drives for the leading Penske team with Chevrolet engines. Another former winner driving for Penske, Australian Will Power, was 22nd. Three-time winner Helio Castroneves, from Brazil, was 28th.
Five-time Indycar champion Scott Dixon, who won Indy in 2008, was fifth fastest in his Honda-engined Ganassi car, and former F1 drivers Takuma Sato, the 2017 winner, and Marcus Ericsson ninth and 11th, also with Honda engines.


bbc--2020-08-15--World number eight Bencic is latest to pull out of US Open

Last updated on .From the section Tennis World number eight Belinda Bencic is the latest player to pull out of @ @ @ @ @ joins defending champion Bianca Andreescu , world number one Ashleigh Barty and fellow top-10 players @ @ @ @ @ in opting out of the tournament .
`` I 've made the difficult decision to @ @ @ @ @ return next month in Rome , '' she said .
`` I 'm looking forward @ @ @ @ @ wish everyone competing there in the coming weeks the best of luck . ''
The @ @ @ @ @ begin on 31 August while the Rome tournament starts on 20 September , before the @ @ @ @ @ end of the month .
• None Alerts : Get tennis news sent to your @

Last updated on .From the section Tennis
Belinda Bencic has reached the quarter-finals and semi-finals in New York
World number eight Belinda Bencic is the latest player to pull out of the US Open.
The Swiss 23-year-old reached the semi-finals at Flushing Meadows last year.
She joins defending champion Bianca Andreescu, world number one Ashleigh Barty and fellow top-10 players Elina Svitolina and Kiki Bertens in opting out of the tournament.
"I've made the difficult decision to skip New York and will return next month in Rome," she said.
"I'm looking forward to returning next year and wish everyone competing there in the coming weeks the best of luck."
The US Open is due to begin on 31 August while the Rome tournament starts on 20 September, before the rescheduled French Open at the end of the month.


bbc--2020-08-16--Belarus: Rival rallies in Minsk as Belarus leader fights back

Opponents of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko are gathering for another day of protest in Minsk over disputed elections last weekend .
The `` March for Freedom '' , planned for Sunday afternoon , comes amid growing anger over alleged poll-rigging and police violence at subsequent protests .
Meanwhile several hundred supporters of Mr Lukashenko have been holding their own rally in the city .
Reports say some state sector workers are being forced to attend .
The rallies are taking place after Mr Lukashenko said Russia had agreed to offer security assistance in the case of external military threats .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ military exercises taking place in neighbouring Poland and Lithuania .
The unrest erupted after Mr Lukashenko claimed a landslide victory in last week 's election , the result of which has been condemned amid widespread allegations of vote-rigging .
• 'If you croak we do n't care ' : Brutality in Belarus • Five things you may not know about the country The Central Election Commission says Mr Lukashenko , who has been in power since 1994 , won 80.1 % of the vote and the main opposition candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya 10.12 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ votes were properly counted , she won support ranging from 60 % to 70 % .
What is happening in Minsk ?
`` All those who love their Motherland and are against splitting the country into two opposing sides will gather for this rally , '' organising group Belaya Rus said on Facebook .
Video posted on social media showed columns of buses on the roads and arriving in Minsk from other cities .
However , reports say the numbers at the rally have been small so far , with Russian media reporting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's Abdujalil Abdurasulov in Minsk says security at the rally has been turning away journalists , and a security officer explained that not everyone planning to come had arrived .
There are reports of state sector workers being forced to attend or face the threat of losing their jobs .
For days , workers at state-run factories have staged walkouts and many have joined street marches against the president .
His opponents are hoping to bring out thousands of people for their march , called by Ms Tikhanovskaya who fled into exile in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ People have started gathering in central Minsk and other cities with the opposition 's red and white flags .
They have taken to the streets all week , and on Saturday evening they staged rallies outside the state television building .
Some 100 TV staff came out to join them saying they planned a strike on Monday .
Several journalists have resigned over negative coverage of the demonstrations .
More about the protests in Belarus • LETTER FROM MINSK : Shocked by violence , people lose their fear Earlier on Saturday , thousands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and laid flowers at the scene close to the metro station where one of the protesters , Alexander Taraikovsky , died on Monday .
Many opposition supporters chanted `` Leave ! ''
- a call for President Lukashenko to resign - and some carried signs with slogans against police violence .
The circumstances of Mr Taraikovsky 's death are unclear .
Officials say he died when an explosive device went off in his hand during a protest , but his partner , Elena German , told the Associated Press news agency that she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Russian TV news bulletins have been making ominous parallels between Belarus 2020 and Ukraine 2014 .
Ukraine 's pro-Western revolution led to Moscow sending in its special operations forces to annex Crimea and Russian military intervention in eastern Ukraine .
Six years on , could Russia 's military intervene in Belarus ?
On paper , at least , such a move would appear counter-productive .
The opposition movement in Belarus is not anti-Russia/pro-Europe - it is anti-Lukashenko .
If Russia were to send in troops to shore up the Belarusian leader , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ creating anti-Moscow sentiment .
True , Moscow is determined to keep Belarus within what it sees as Russia 's sphere of influence .
The Kremlin 's ultimate goal is deeper integration with its neighbour - a fully-fledged union state ( with Vladimir Putin at the helm ) .
It could still achieve this through political leverage .
The Kremlin has a pathological fear of `` coloured revolution '' on its doorstep .
But Minsk 2020 is not Kyiv 2014 .
Belarus is not choosing between East and West .
The Belarusian people are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forces .
So much so that even Mr Lukashenko 's traditional base - including the state factory workers - are deserting him .
As the unrest continued on Saturday , Mr Lukashenko sought help from Russian President Vladimir Putin .
Mr Lukashenko said President Putin had promised to provide what he called comprehensive assistance in the event of external military threats to Belarus .
According to a Kremlin statement , the leaders had `` said they were sure that all the problems would be dealt with in the near future '' , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of assistance .
It emphasised that the conversation had taken place on the initiative of the Belarusian side .
Mr Lukashenko 's announcement came the day after EU foreign ministers agreed to prepare new sanctions against Belarusian officials responsible for `` violence , repression and the falsification of election results '' .
The US has also condemned the election as `` not free and fair '' .
In a joint statement on Saturday , meanwhile , the prime ministers of three Baltic republics - Latvia , Lithuania and Estonia - `` expressed deep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the political repression of the opposition by the authorities '' .
Lithuania and Latvia have previously said they are prepared to mediate in Belarus , provided the authorities stopped violence against protesters and formed a national council with members of civil society .
They warned that the alternative was sanctions .
The leaders said the presidential election was `` neither free nor fair '' and called for a `` transparent '' vote `` with the participation of international observers '' .
Ms Tikhanovskaya left for Lithuania following the election after she publicly denounced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ children to Lithuania for safety before the vote .
Some 6,700 people were arrested in the wake of the election , and many have spoken of torture at the hands of the security services .

Speaking to supporters, Mr Lukashenko said he did not like rallies and did not need anyone to defend him. He said it was not his fault that he had to ask for their help. Rejecting calls for a re-run of the presidential election he said Belarus would "die as a state" if that happened.


bbc--2020-08-16--Belarus protests: 'We can breathe for the first time in our lives'

There is a sense of euphoria on the streets in Belarus .
Thousands of people gather in the capital Minsk to voice their opposition to President Alexander Lukashenko and the violent crackdown he unleashed against protesters .
People wave the opposition flag - white with a red stripe - and they carry flowers and balloons to show that their movement is peaceful .
Car horns have turned into an instrument of opposition here .
Drivers honk in support of the crowds .
People wave back and cheer .
`` [ We ] can breathe freedom for the first time in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feeling , '' said Andrey , 33 .
Many feel elated and optimistic that a new beginning is awaiting Belarus after 26 years of President Lukashenko 's rule .
`` We are sure that everything will change .
We believe in our victory .
That 's why we will come out onto the street every single day , '' said Yekaterina , who joined the crowd in the centre of Minsk on Saturday .
Anger has overcome fear here .
Now , people openly go out to peacefully protest .
But just a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police and protesters spread terror amongst Belarusians .
We witnessed how riot police and special forces grabbed people on the streets at random and threw them into police vans .
Pedestrians , passers-by - anyone became a target .
Police stopped cyclists , tackled them to the ground and arrested them .
They bent the arms of those who were talking on the phone and dragged them away .
Even those who just got off a bus on their way home were detained .
At night it only became more violent .
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ night watch to observe the protest .
A large crowd gathered at the Kamennaya Gorka metro station .
Soon police trucks and buses arrived .
Men wearing military camouflage emerged from police vehicles , pointing their guns at protesters .
They fired rubber bullets at people who tried to take cover behind buildings .
A projectile landed in the middle of the road with a whistle and exploded .
A second later the deafening bang of a stun grenade forced people to flee in all directions .
A big plume of smoke rose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spluttered , rubbing their eyes , stung by tear gas .
An entire police squadron descended on the area .
In black uniforms , with helmets and shields , they chased protesters into the courtyards of buildings .
One man was caught at the entrance to an apartment block , and a dozen officers jumped on him , ferociously beating him with their batons .
As people were thrown into police vans , they were viciously assaulted and tortured .
We heard sounds of beatings and cries for help coming from inside .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ those who faced abuse in detention .
Such violence has fuelled the anger amongst the people of Belarus .
Instead of night protests with running battles , people now come out on to the streets during the daytime .
Initially led by women , the movement has gathered pace across the country .
Major factories announced they were going on strike in protest against police brutality .
At a meeting of workers of the famous BelAZ factory , which produces trucks and buses , workers chanted `` Leave '' - demanding Mr Lukashenko @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elections , '' said Pavel , a factory worker .
`` We demand a change of power , we demand freedom and democracy and peace in our homes , '' he added , his voice breaking with emotion .
These protests that are spreading across the country are a major blow to Alexander Lukashenko 's claim that he won more than 80 % of the popular vote during the presidential election .
His regime is under pressure like never before .
Even state TV employees declared they would go on strike from Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stop the censorship on TV and allow objective coverage of events in the country .
Despite such an unprecedented challenge to his rule , Mr Lukashenko is not ready to give up power .
At a defence ministry meeting on Saturday , Mr Lukashenko said that he was worried about Nato military drills near the country 's borders .
He claimed that he had reached an agreement with President Vladimir Putin for Russia to provide `` comprehensive assistance to maintain security in Belarus '' .
Many here interpret this statement as a direct @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bloodbath with the Kremlin 's help .
The violence that was used by the regime before only fuelled more demonstrations .
The question is how far Mr Lukashenko is willing to go in order to maintain his grip on power .
More about the protests in Belarus • LETTER FROM MINSK : Shocked by violence , people lose their fear

Pedestrians, passers-by - anyone became a target. Police stopped cyclists, tackled them to the ground and arrested them. They bent the arms of those who were talking on the phone and dragged them away. Even those who just got off a bus on their way home were detained.


bbc--2020-08-16--Robert Trump: President's younger brother dies in hospital

President Donald Trump has paid tribute to his `` best friend '' and youngest brother following his death at 71 .
`` It is with [ a ] heavy heart I share that my wonderful brother , Robert , peacefully passed away tonight , '' he said in a statement on Saturday .
The president had visited his brother in hospital in New York the day before his death , telling reporters : `` He 's having a hard time . ''
It is unclear what caused Robert Trump 's death .
A number of US media reports suggested he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not just my brother , he was my best friend , '' Donald Trump said in a statement on Saturday .
`` His memory will live on in my heart forever . ''
President Trump 's son Eric described his uncle as an `` incredible man - strong , kind and loyal to the core '' .
`` He will be deeply missed by our entire family , '' he wrote on Twitter .
• Trump 's parents and siblings : What do we know of them ?
Robert was the youngest of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ children , and was born two years after his brother Donald .
The eldest of the children , Fred Jr , died in 1981 .
Robert Trump spent much of his career with the family real-estate firm , becoming a top executive .
Unlike his brother , however , he was said not to court publicity and lived semi-retired in New York state .
In his 1987 book The Art of the Deal , Donald Trump wrote that `` Robert gets along with almost everyone , which is great for me since I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' .
In a 2016 interview with the New York Post ahead of the presidential election , the younger brother said `` I support Donald one thousand percent '' .
He recently went to court in a failed bid to stop publication of his niece Mary Trump 's tell-all book about the president , How My Family Created the World 's Most Dangerous Man .
He divorced his first wife Blaine over a decade ago and married Ann Marie Pallan in March this year .
According to the Post , Robert spent more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Manhattan 's Mount Sinai Hospital in June .
Quoting a family friend , the New York Times said he had experienced brain bleeds that had begun after a recent fall .

In his 1987 book The Art of the Deal, Donald Trump wrote that "Robert gets along with almost everyone, which is great for me since I sometimes have to be the bad guy".


bbc--2020-08-16--Mauritius oil spill: Wrecked MV Wakashio breaks up

A Japanese bulk carrier that has leaked hundreds of tonnes of fuel oil off the Mauritius coast has broken apart , authorities in the island nation say .
The MV Wakashio ran aground on a coral reef on 25 July with 4,000 tonnes of the fuel , causing an ecological emergency .
Most of the fuel had already been pumped out , officials said , but on Saturday the ship 's condition worsened .
Mauritius is home to world-renowned coral reefs , and popular with tourists .
The MV Wakashio ran aground at Pointe d'Esny , a known sanctuary for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wetlands designated as a site of international importance by the Ramsar convention on wetlands .
`` At around 4.30pm [ 12:30 GMT ] , a major detachment of the vessel 's forward section was observed , '' the Mauritius National Crisis Committee said in a statement on Saturday .
About 90 tonnes of the fuel were believed to be still on board when the vessel split .
The committee said booms had been reinforced near the vessel to absorb any more oil that leaked out .
Coast guard vessels have been positioned in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will seek compensation for the leak from `` the owner and the insurer '' .
Japanese firm Nagashiki Shipping has pledged to respond to requests for compensation .
• Africa Live : News and views from the continent • What is Mauritius like ?
Mauritian Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth said in recent days that more than 3,000 of the 4,000 tonnes of oil from the ship 's fuel reservoirs had been pumped out .
The removed fuel has been transferred to shore by helicopter and to another ship owned by the same Japanese @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
One of the best assessments of the spill has come via Earth observation assets .
The US analytics company Ursa Space Systems looked at the situation using radar data from the Finnish Iceye satellites , which are especially effective at picking out oil on water .
It found a 27 sq km spill by 11 August .
BBC World Service environment correspondent Navid Singh Khadka says a spill three times the size of this was averted .
Nevertheless a uniquely biodiversity-rich marine ecosystem has been polluted with nearly 1,000 tonnes of fuel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ declared a state of emergency and appealed for international help .
Since then , volunteers have also been collecting straw from fields and filling sacks to make barriers against the oil .
Others have made their own tubes with tights and hair to add to the effort , and some have been cleaning up the island 's beaches .
Their actions went against an order from the government asking people to leave the clean-up to local authorities .
Greenpeace Africa has warned that `` thousands '' of animal species were `` at risk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with dire consequences for Mauritius 's economy , food security and health '' .
An oceanographer and environmental engineer in Mauritius , Vassen Kauppaymuthoo , told the BBC that local residents were now `` breathing heavy vapours of oil '' , and there was a `` mixture of sadness and anger '' over the spill .
Police in Mauritius say they have been granted a search warrant , allowing them to board the vessel to take away items of interest such as the ship 's log book in order to help with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will assist officers with their search .

Police in Mauritius say they have been granted a search warrant, allowing them to board the vessel to take away items of interest such as the ship's log book in order to help with an investigation. The ship's captain will assist officers with their search.


bbc--2020-08-16--Chloe McCardel: Swimmer beats men's Channel record and quarantine

A swimmer has broken the men 's record for the number of cross-Channel crossings - and been assured her fears of falling foul of the UK-France quarantine rules are unfounded .
Australian Chloe McCardel took 10 hours and 40 minutes to complete her 35th Channel crossing , after setting off from Kent on Saturday evening .
She was worried arriving in Calais would require her to self-isolate .
But she said UK and French coastguards have given her the all-clear .
`` I would like to have a little celebration this evening in England .
I 'm extremely lucky to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support , from my English host to my support boat captains and crew , and I 'm excited to celebrate this achievement together with them . ''
The 35-year-old started her 21-mile swim from Abbot 's Cliff beach near Folkestone at 20:00 BST on Saturday , and arrived in France just before 07:00 .
She intended to spend only a few moments on the French shore before swimming back out to her support boat for the return journey .
`` We do n't go anywhere near the border officials or passport control , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thing wo n't apply , '' she had said ahead of the swim .
• Woman first to swim Channel four times non-stop • How an 11-year-old came to swim the Channel Ms McCardel is now second on the list of the most Channel swims , passing the men 's record of 34 held by Briton Kevin Murphy .
Equalling the women 's record will be a greater task , however - Alison Streeter , the `` Queen of the English Channel '' , has swum the distance 43 times .
The Department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seek legal advice ahead of the swim .
She said she has been advised by the Channel Swimming Association that her swim could go ahead .
`` They said Channel swims are allowed as long as you observe social distancing when you land and do n't stay on the shore for more than 10 minutes , which is standard practice for us , '' Ms McCardel told the BBC shortly before embarking on the swim .
She said there was little risk of coming into contact with someone in France because her swims @ @ @ @ @ @ @ near Cap Gris-Nez .
`` I usually finish where there are large boulders and it 's inaccessible to people on land because you ca n't walk through the boulders .
There 's no sand , '' she said .
Ms McCardel already negotiated special dispensation from the Australian government to travel to the UK for her record attempt .
In recent weeks she has completed three Channel crossings , taking her level with British swimmer Mr Murphy , on 34 crossings .
She told the Daily Telegraph that she hopes that her latest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ domestic violence , revealing that she is a survivor who has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder .
Speaking after completing her feat , Ms McCardel said : `` It 's a very momentous occasion and I 'm very proud to be able to represent Australia .
`` I 've also been thinking a lot about the people in lockdown , particularly women facing domestic violence , and I 'm proud to be able to be a voice for those who do n't have one . ''
Ms McCardel holds multiple records for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unassisted ocean swim in 2014 , when she covered 77.3 miles ( 124.4km ) in 41.5 hours in the waters around the Bahamas .
In 2017 , she became the first person to attempt a quadruple non-stop crossing of the English Channel , but she was not successful in completing the 84-mile journey .
The feat was finally achieved by Sarah Thomas , from the United States , last year - one year after she was treated for breast cancer .

"I would like to have a little celebration this evening in England. I'm extremely lucky to be surrounded by so much love and support, from my English host to my support boat captains and crew, and I'm excited to celebrate this achievement together with them."


bbc--2020-08-16--Fawzia Koofi: Afghan negotiator and campaigner shot by gunmen

An attack on one of the only women taking part in negotiations with the Taliban was a `` cowardly and criminal '' attempt to disrupt the Afghan peace process , the US envoy has said .
Zalmay Khalilzad said he was `` relieved '' that Fawzia Koofi had escaped Friday 's shooting `` without serious injury '' .
Ms Koofi was shot in the right arm while travelling with her sister .
The Taliban have denied they were behind the attack , which came as the two sides prepared for talks .
The militant group has previously refused to negotiate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agreed to take part in the talks aiming to end almost two decades of conflict after reaching an agreement with the US in February .
As part of the agreement , the Afghan government had to release 5,000 Taliban prisoners .
On Thursday , it began releasing the last 400 militants .
Talks are expected to start in Qatar after the final prisoner is released .
• Fawzia Koofi : The woman who negotiated with the Taliban • 'We ca n't go back ' : The Afghan women determined not to lose But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Koofi , an outspoken critic of the Taliban who was returning from a meeting in the northern Parwan province when she was attacked near the capital Kabul , could undermine the process .
`` Worrying pattern of targeted attacks that can negatively impact confidence in peace process , '' the chief of Afghanistan 's Independent Human Rights Commission , Shaharzad Akbar , wrote on Twitter .
Mr Khalizad also took to Twitter , saying he wanted `` all sides who seek peace to not only condemn the attack but to accelerate the peace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The attack , which no one has claimed , was also condemned as `` cowardly '' by President Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah , the head of the High Council for National Reconciliation .
Ms Koofi is one of the few women to have taken part in dialogue with the hard-line Islamist group , which ruled Afghanistan until they were removed from power in Afghanistan by a US-led invasion in 2001 .
They have fought to regain territory since .
Last year alone , more than 3,000 civilians were killed in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
However , the deal reached with the US has proved controversial .
On Saturday , France objected to the release of some of the remaining 400 prisoners held by the Afghan authorities - some of whom it says were involved in the killings of French nationals .

However, the deal reached with the US has proved controversial. On Saturday, France objected to the release of some of the remaining 400 prisoners held by the Afghan authorities - some of whom it says were involved in the killings of French nationals.


bbc--2020-08-16--Thai protests: Thousands gather in Bangkok to demand reforms

Thousands of protesters staged another anti-government rally in the Thai capital , Bangkok , on Sunday to demand political reforms .
Demonstrators want a revised constitution and are also calling for reform of the monarchy - a sensitive subject in Thailand .
Under Thai law , anyone criticising the royal family faces long prison sentences .
There have been almost daily student-led demonstrations in recent weeks .
Several protest leaders have been arrested .
But organisers said they hoped Sunday 's rally would show broader support for change beyond the student groups .
`` We are here from all different @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said one protester , a 29-year-old student who only gave their name as Kukkik .
• The students risking it all to challenge the monarchy Observers said Sunday 's protest at Bangkok 's Democracy Monument was one of the biggest anti-government demonstrations since Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha took power in a 2014 coup .
They waved banners and chanted : `` Down with dictatorship , long live democracy . ''
The protesters are demanding that Mr Prayuth - a former general who won disputed elections last year - stand down .
The BBC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inclusion of the monarchy in the protesters ' demands has electrified the debate .
About 600 police officers were monitoring the protest .
Nearby , dozens of supporters of the monarchy also staged a rally .
Last year 's elections were the first since the military seized power in 2014 and for many young people they were seen as an opportunity for change .
But the military had taken steps to entrench its political role , and the election saw Mr Prayuth re-installed .
Mr Prayuth says the majority of Thais do not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of protests began in February after the pro-democracy Future Forward Party ( FFP ) was dissolved by court order .
Protests were held , but were quickly halted by Covid-19 restrictions .
Tensions increased in June when Wanchalearm Satsaksit , a prominent activist who had been living in Cambodia in exile since 2014 , went missing .
The Thai government has denied any involvement in his disappearance .
Student-led protests erupted again on 18 July , despite a ban of mass gatherings under the country 's state of emergency .
Rallies have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week , prominent student leader Parit Chiwarak , 22 , was arrested and faces charges including sedition , assault and holding an event that could spread a disease .

Last year's elections were the first since the military seized power in 2014 and for many young people they were seen as an opportunity for change.


bbc--2020-08-16--Trump says universal mail-in voting would be 'catastrophic'

Universal mail voting would make the US `` a laughing stock '' , President Donald Trump has said , as he continues his vocal opposition to postal voting .
It comes after the US Postal Service ( USPS ) warned that millions of mail-in votes may not arrive in time to be counted in November 's election .
A record number of people are expected to vote by mail due to the pandemic .
Critics have blamed the new USPS head - a loyal supporter of President Donald Trump - for a slowdown in deliveries .
Democrats , including former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump of attacking postal voting and the USPS in a bid to `` undermine the election '' .
Singer-songwriter Taylor Swift joined critics of the president 's move , accusing him of `` calculated dismantling '' of the postal service .
The president has repeatedly said mail-in ballots will lead to voting fraud and give a boost to his rival Democrat Joe Biden .
However , experts say the mail-in voting system , which Mr Trump himself uses , is safe from tampering .
• Does US postal voting lead to ‘ tremendous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ probe into US postal service Speaker Nancy Pelosi , meanwhile , is considering recalling Congress early to address the changes introduced to the USPS and the potential impact on the 3 November election , according to Reuters news agency .
Only a handful of states have so far said they will be holding universal mail voting , meaning that voters will automatically receive a postal ballot ahead of the election - and a number of these did so before the pandemic .
Elsewhere , voters will still have to request to cast their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say ?
Speaking at a news conference on Saturday evening , the president said he had no issue with absentee voting , which he himself uses .
But he added : `` Universal mail-in voting is going to be catastrophic , it 's going to make our country the laughing stock of the world . ''
`` The problem with the mail-in voting , number one , is you 're never going to know when the election is over , '' he continued .
He went on to say that the result of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` for months or for years , because these ballots are going to be lost , they 're going to be gone '' .
He also blamed the Democrats for failing to reach a deal on USPS funding .
He has previously told Fox News he was blocking additional funding for the financially troubled agency , because he opposes mail-in voting .
`` Now they need that money in order to make the post office work so it can take all of these millions and millions of ballots , '' he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ make a deal , that means they do n't get the money .
That means they ca n't have universal mail-in voting , they just ca n't have it . ''
The USPS , which has long been in financial trouble and carries about $ 160bn ( £122bn ) in debt , sent letters to states across the US in July warning that it could not guarantee that all mail votes would arrive in time to be counted .
At least 15 states have received a letter , according to NBC News .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Postmaster General Louis DeJoy - a major Republican donor - like clamping down on overtime and halting late delivery trips have led to an increase in mail waiting times .
But Mr Trump told Fox News he was blocking additional funding for the financially troubled agency , because he opposes mail-in voting .
`` Now they need that money in order to make the post office work so it can take all of these millions and millions of ballots , '' he said .
`` Now , if we do n't make a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get the money .
That means they ca n't have universal mail-in voting , they just ca n't have it . ''
What has been the reaction ?
Democrats have strongly criticised the president 's stance towards the USPS , with Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer accusing Mr Trump of `` sabotage tactics '' .
Joe Biden , meanwhile , has sought to reassure voters , tweeting on Friday : `` Voting by mail is safe and secure .
And do n't take my word for it : Take it from the President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the Florida primary on Tuesday . ''
Singer Taylor Swift has also weighed in on the debate , accusing the president of choosing to `` blatantly cheat '' .
`` Request a ballot early .
Vote early , '' she said in a tweet that received hundreds of thousands of likes .

"Now they need that money in order to make the post office work so it can take all of these millions and millions of ballots," he said. "Now, if we don't make a deal, that means they don't get the money. That means they can't have universal mail-in voting, they just can't have it."


bbc--2020-08-15--Man City 1-3 Lyon: Lyon stun Man City in Champions League

Manchester City 's Champions League ambitions are in ruins once more after Lyon shocked Pep Guardiola 's side in the quarter-final in Lisbon .
City started as firm favourites but came out second best against a fiercely determined Lyon in a game that swung on controversy and uncharacteristic errors in the closing stages .
Lyon went ahead in the 24th minute with Maxwel Cornet 's smart finish but City , lifeless as Guardiola chose to play a three-man central defence , looked to have been revived by Kevin de Bruyne 's precise strike from Raheem Sterling 's pass after 69 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , on as a substitute , restored Lyon 's lead in contentious circumstances 11 minutes from time , the video assistant referee ignoring what appeared to be an obvious foul by the goalscorer before he ran on to beat Ederson .
City pressed for the equaliser but Sterling was guilty of an atrocious miss , somehow sending his finish over the top of an open goal from Gabriel Jesus ' pass .
It proved to be hugely expensive as seconds later Lyon set up a semi-final meeting with Bayern Munich when Dembele scored @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Houssem Aouar 's routine shot .
• Analysis : How Guardiola messed up his big Champions League chance Guardiola has rightly been showered in plaudits for the wonderful football and success he has brought to Manchester City - but his biggest target remains elusive and this was a miserable night for the manager .
Guardiola , who has been accused of over-thinking his approach in the Champions League before , adopted a three-man central defensive system and chose to leave many of City 's creators and manipulators on the bench .
Lyon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was a ploy that took it too far and resulted in a stuttering City lacking urgency and creativity .
He eventually introduced Riyad Mahrez after the break to some effect but Lyon were offered hope and encouragement by Guardiola 's approach and showed magnificent grit and resilience to secure the win .
City will rightly claim an injustice over the VAR decision that did not penalise what appeared to be a foul on Aymeric Laporte by Dembele but the team defending for the second goal was horrific , with every City player bar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the goal was created when the game was finely balanced at 1-1 .
City and Guardiola have suffered Champions League disappointment before but this may hurt more than any other - and make no mistake , the much-feted Catalan must take his full share of responsibility for a flawed game plan .
Lyon 's celebrations were wild at the final whistle - and who can blame them after a magnificent victory against many experts ' favourites after previously knocking out Juventus despite another stellar contribution from Cristiano Ronaldo ?
The French side dug @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right times , especially with Sterling 's ghastly miss , and when offered the opportunity put City away .
Dembele showed the poacher 's instinct that made him so highly prized at Celtic and has made him a success in France to score the two goals that saw off City .
Bayern Munich will be hot favourites after their astonishing 8-2 demolition of Barcelona but this revamped knockout format has already produced its share of surprises and Lyon have shown they must not be written off .
'We 're not getting carried away @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to RMC Sport : `` We are still in it , which means we have a great team .
`` We are taking it game by game , not getting carried away .
We will try to be ready for Bayern . ''
• Lyon 's Rudi Garcia is the first French manager to guide a French team to the Champions League semi-finals since 2009-10 ( Claude Puel with Lyon ) .
• Since progressing from his first seven Champions League quarter-finals as a manager with Barcelona and Bayern Munich , Pep Guardiola @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three with City .
• The Champions League semi-finals will see two French teams ( PSG , Lyon ) and two German teams ( RB Leipzig , Bayern Munich ) .
It is the first time since 2012-13 that there are just two different nations at the semi-final stage .
• City 's Kevin de Bruyne has been directly involved in more goals in 2019-20 than any other Premier League player ( 38 - 16 goals , 22 assists ) .
• Lyon 's Maxwel Cornet and Moussa Dembele have scored four Champions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ high with Lionel Messi .
• Raheem Sterling made his 50th Champions League appearance tonight , aged 25 years and 251 days .
The only Englishman to reach this milestone at a younger age was Wayne Rooney in 2010 ( 24 years , 115 days ) .
• Sterling provided his 11th assist for Manchester City in the Champions League - the joint-most for the club alongside De Bruyne .
• Fernandinho made his 58th appearance in the Champions League for Man City - the most of any City player in the competition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ facts on their history • Food and lockdown : Has it changed the way we eat ?

Last updated on .From the section European Football
Four of Moussa Dembele's seven Champions League goals have been against Manchester City
Manchester City's Champions League ambitions are in ruins once more after Lyon shocked Pep Guardiola's side in the quarter-final in Lisbon.
City started as firm favourites but came out second best against a fiercely determined Lyon in a game that swung on controversy and uncharacteristic errors in the closing stages.
Lyon went ahead in the 24th minute with Maxwel Cornet's smart finish but City, lifeless as Guardiola chose to play a three-man central defence, looked to have been revived by Kevin de Bruyne's precise strike from Raheem Sterling's pass after 69 minutes.
Former Celtic striker Moussa Dembele, on as a substitute, restored Lyon's lead in contentious circumstances 11 minutes from time, the video assistant referee ignoring what appeared to be an obvious foul by the goalscorer before he ran on to beat Ederson.
City pressed for the equaliser but Sterling was guilty of an atrocious miss, somehow sending his finish over the top of an open goal from Gabriel Jesus' pass.
It proved to be hugely expensive as seconds later Lyon set up a semi-final meeting with Bayern Munich when Dembele scored his second after Ederson fumbled a shot from Houssem Aouar's routine shot.
Guardiola must take responsibility
Guardiola has rightly been showered in plaudits for the wonderful football and success he has brought to Manchester City - but his biggest target remains elusive and this was a miserable night for the manager.
Guardiola, who has been accused of over-thinking his approach in the Champions League before, adopted a three-man central defensive system and chose to leave many of City's creators and manipulators on the bench.
Lyon deserved respect after eliminating Juventus but this was a ploy that took it too far and resulted in a stuttering City lacking urgency and creativity.
He eventually introduced Riyad Mahrez after the break to some effect but Lyon were offered hope and encouragement by Guardiola's approach and showed magnificent grit and resilience to secure the win.
City will rightly claim an injustice over the VAR decision that did not penalise what appeared to be a foul on Aymeric Laporte by Dembele but the team defending for the second goal was horrific, with every City player bar keeper Ederson in the Lyon half when the goal was created when the game was finely balanced at 1-1.
City and Guardiola have suffered Champions League disappointment before but this may hurt more than any other - and make no mistake, the much-feted Catalan must take his full share of responsibility for a flawed game plan.
Lyon deserve credit
Lyon's celebrations were wild at the final whistle - and who can blame them after a magnificent victory against many experts' favourites after previously knocking out Juventus despite another stellar contribution from Cristiano Ronaldo?
The French side dug deep, rode their luck at the right times, especially with Sterling's ghastly miss, and when offered the opportunity put City away.
Dembele showed the poacher's instinct that made him so highly prized at Celtic and has made him a success in France to score the two goals that saw off City.
Bayern Munich will be hot favourites after their astonishing 8-2 demolition of Barcelona but this revamped knockout format has already produced its share of surprises and Lyon have shown they must not be written off.
Man of the match - Kevin de Bruyne
Kevin de Bruyne scored City's goal and attempted 17 crosses, almost three times as much as anyone else - although he only completed 23 of his 39 passes
'We're not getting carried away' - reaction
Goalscorer Moussa Dembele speaking to RMC Sport: "We are still in it, which means we have a great team.
"We are taking it game by game, not getting carried away. We will try to be ready for Bayern."
Match stats - Cornet and Dembele match Messi
Lyon's Rudi Garcia is the first French manager to guide a French team to the Champions League semi-finals since 2009-10 (Claude Puel with Lyon).
Since progressing from his first seven Champions League quarter-finals as a manager with Barcelona and Bayern Munich, Pep Guardiola has been eliminated in each of his three with City.
The Champions League semi-finals will see two French teams (PSG, Lyon) and two German teams (RB Leipzig, Bayern Munich). It is the first time since 2012-13 that there are just two different nations at the semi-final stage.
City's Kevin de Bruyne has been directly involved in more goals in 2019-20 than any other Premier League player (38 - 16 goals, 22 assists).
Lyon's Maxwel Cornet and Moussa Dembele have scored four Champions League goals against City, a joint high with Lionel Messi.
Raheem Sterling made his 50th Champions League appearance tonight, aged 25 years and 251 days. The only Englishman to reach this milestone at a younger age was Wayne Rooney in 2010 (24 years, 115 days).
Sterling provided his 11th assist for Manchester City in the Champions League - the joint-most for the club alongside De Bruyne.
Fernandinho made his 58th appearance in the Champions League for Man City - the most of any City player in the competition.


bbc--2020-08-15--Coronavirus: 'I sat in my car and cried after every funeral'

For Canon Jan Gould and her parish in Ely , Cardiff , the pandemic has been an intensely emotional and @ @ @ @ @ ministered about 60 funerals since it began , with a third due to Covid-19 and @ @ @ @ @ was a real sense of shock .
Suddenly everything that was familiar had stopped , @ @ @ @ @ `` I know I 'm not alone among clergy in those early days after funerals @ @ @ @ @ it was just so sad and so difficult to cope with , '' she said @ @ @ @ @ by emotional distress , help and support or wider information is available via the BBC @ @ @

For Canon Jan Gould and her parish in Ely, Cardiff, the pandemic has been an intensely emotional and challenging time.
She has ministered about 60 funerals since it began, with a third due to Covid-19 and several suicides.
"There was a real sense of shock. Suddenly everything that was familiar had stopped," Canon Gould said.
"I know I'm not alone among clergy in those early days after funerals just sitting and crying because it was just so sad and so difficult to cope with," she said.
If you're affected by emotional distress, help and support or wider information is available via the BBC Action Line.


bbc--2020-08-13--Democratic National Convention: What to watch for at Biden's nomination party

Balloons .
Confetti .
Signs .
Big hats .
It 's the moment US election enthusiasts have been waiting four years for .
It 's convention season .
This week kicks off with the Democratic National Convention - four days of party events leading up to the main moment : crowning the presidential nominee .
Of course this year , things are going to look a bit different .
Here 's everything you need to know about this year 's convention , Covid-19 changes and all .
What is the Democratic National Convention ?
It is where the Democratic Party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hype up - their candidates .
You may be thinking , 'is n't Joe Biden already the nominee ? '
Yes - and no .
He 's certainly the presumptive Democratic candidate , but things are n't party-official until they announce it at the convention .
Party members will also unveil the 2020 Democratic platform , the list of party values and policy priorities which they believe distinguish them from their rival Republicans .
OK , so where and when is the 2020 convention ?
Officially , it 's being held in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Midwestern state of Wisconsin , from Monday 17 August to Thursday 20 August .
But Covid-19 restrictions and concerns mean that the only people attending in-person will be those necessary to orchestrating the event .
Instead of 50,000 people gathering for the traditional calendar with days full of speeches , receptions and rallies , sessions will be streamed from the Democratic Party 's social media channels and aired live on most US news channels from 21:00 to 23:00EDT each night .
Will Joe Biden be there ?
Mr Biden will not be in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dialling in from his home state of Delaware on Thursday night , and he will deliver his speech from the Chase Center , in Wilmington .
Ms Harris will also speak at the same venue a day earlier .
Who are the speakers this year ?
Former President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle are closing out Wednesday and Monday night respectively .
Senator Bernie Sanders is also scheduled to address the virtual crowds on Monday night .
Former President Bill Clinton and Jill Biden will be the final two speeches on Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez .
Hillary Clinton , former secretary of state and the 2016 nominee , will take a prime time slot on Wednesday night , as will Senator Elizabeth Warren .
Biden 's vice-presidential pick Kamala Harris will also get a chance to address the nation with an acceptance speech on Wednesday .
What to watch out for This political convention wo n't look like any we 've seen before but the stakes are as high as ever .
First and foremost , this is Joe Biden 's moment in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not just for his policies - which he says have `` left the US in tatters '' - but for his behaviour in the White House .
Biden frames this election as a `` fight for the soul of the nation '' and will present himself as the candidate who can unite and heal America .
There have been doubts , encouraged by his political adversaries , that the 77-year-old has lost a step in recent years .
He 's traditionally been a compelling public speaker , and Democrats will be hoping he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doubts about his endurance and ability to bed for good .
The Democrats will use the convention to appeal to a national audience tuning into the campaign for the first time - especially independents and moderate Republicans - but they also need to energise their own base , including those on the left of the party .
Barack Obama was the last Democrat to build a winning coalition - with the former president , and his wife Michelle , closing out two nights , the Biden campaign clearly hopes some of the Obama @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also a chance to highlight the party 's rising stars .
While Biden 's choice of Kamala Harris as his running mate has made her an heir apparent , there are other names on the speaking schedule who might someday challenge her .
That includes a gaggle of governors , such as New York 's Andrew Cuomo and Gavin Newsom of California , five of Biden 's 2020 campaign rivals and several members of his vice-presidential short list .
Then there 's Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez , who at 30 is still several cycles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is already a power in the progressive wing of the party .
Will any of follow in the steps of then-state senator Obama in 2004 , and seize the moment ?
Why is a Republican on the bill ?
It 's rare , though not unprecedented , to have members of the other party show up .
This time , former Ohio Governor John Kasich , a Republican and Trump critic , is going to address the convention on Monday .
He represents moderate conservatives unhappy with the direction the president has taken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be politicians speaking ?
Not to worry - you 'll hear from ordinary , relatable Americans too .
Planners have promised `` fewer people behind podiums - and more people in living rooms , on factory floors , at small businesses , and in schools and town squares '' .
This line-up includes educators , gun safety advocates , healthcare workers and even some former Republicans .
We 'll hear from a Pennsylvania farmer , Rick Telesz , who voted for Trump in 2016 , but changed his mind after his family farm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Another highlighted voice this year is gun safety advocate DeAndra Dycus , an Indiana mother whose 13-year-old son was shot and injured at a birthday party .
And it likely wo n't be just ordinary voters joining the e-party : expect appearances by celebrities .
In 2016 , we heard from actresses Meryl Streep and Lena Dunham , comedian Sarah Silverman and got a musical performance by Alicia Keys .
How is the candidate chosen ?
If you 've been following along with the primary election season so far , you know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Biden .
Delegates from across the nation will vote at the convention for the candidate that won their state 's Democratic primary election or caucus .
They 're not obligated to do so , but at least this year , the options are limited with only Biden still in the running .
As for those delegates who were promised to other candidates who 've since withdrawn from the race , they 're free to vote as they will .
Usually delegates are in the convention hall when they vote , but this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ call process will take convention viewers to all 57 states and territories '' on Tuesday .
If you want to know more about the delegate system , you can read about it in our guide to primaries and caucuses .
What happens next ?
Do n't worry , convention season is n't over yet .
We 've got the Republican National Convention coming up from August 24-27 though the pandemic has upended plans for that , too .
After that , presidential campaigning will be in full force until the general election on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your calendars for the debates too .
The first presidential debate is scheduled for 29 September with two more in October .

An appeal to multiple audiences: Biden will use the convention to appeal to a national audience tuning into the campaign for the first time - especially independents and moderate Republicans - but he also needs to energise the base, including those on the left of the party. Barack Obama was the last Democrat to build a winning coalition - with the former president, and his wife Michelle, closing out two nights, his campaign clearly hopes some of the Obama magic rubs off.


bbc--2020-08-15--Manchester City: 'This season has simply not been good enough' - European exit reaffirms faults

Manchester City have had Champions League disappointments before but few will have hurt as much as this - arguably their best chance to finally claim the prize they covet most , cast aside amid controversy but even more by self-inflicted wounds .
Pep Guardiola 's side played with a potent mixture of confidence , discipline and panache to dismiss Real Madrid and set up a quarter-final against Lyon in this new one-off format in Lisbon that seemed to suit City perfectly .
And yet , as they have in Guardiola 's previous four seasons at City , they have come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ barrier into the Champions League semi-final .
Guardiola called this a `` once in a lifetime '' chance but it was wasted as the Catalan was overcome by caution , gripped by conservatism that cost him and his team dear .
First , the shock 3-1 loss to underdogs Lyon means this must now be regarded as a season of relative failure for Guardiola and City when measured against the ambitions , aspirations and standards of the club .
• Analysis : How Guardiola messed up his big Champions League chance The League @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their Premier League title was lost tamely to Liverpool , while the FA Cup holders lost 2-0 to Arsenal in the semi-final .
Dress it up how you like .
If City 's final reckoning had been flagged up at the start of the season , no-one at Etihad Stadium would have accepted it .
At best , very best , it would have been viewed as a desperate letdown .
The Champions League appears to cast a peculiar curse on City and on a manager who has not won it since Barcelona @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wembley in 2011 .
City were undone at the quarter-final stage last year by the merest touch and a VAR offside in the final seconds of the second leg against Tottenham , and here they can certainly offer a valid complaint about injustice .
Aymeric Laporte appeared to be clearly upended by Moussa Dembele before he scored Lyon 's vital second but sympathy is in short supply for City elsewhere .
How does Raheem Sterling , 31 goals this season , lash the ball over an open goal from five yards with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 59 seconds later , does the normally reliable goalkeeper Ederson fumble the most routine shot from Houssem Aouar , allowing Dembele to send City out ?
In this instance , however , the main responsibility must lie with an over-thought , over-respectful approach from Guardiola , whose decision to play a back three allowed Lyon a lead and a foothold and left so many of his creators and manipulators-in-chief , such as Bernardo Silva , David Silva , Riyad Mahrez and Phil Foden , on the bench .
It led to a dull @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , by Guardiola 's own hand , gave Lyon confidence .
He looked like he was guilty of over-thinking it again , a common problem with his previous Champions League strategies .
Lyon are a decent side , they put Juventus out after all , but good enough for Guardiola to change tack so crucially ?
Surely not .
Manchester City , managed by Pep Guardiola , lacked creativity in a Champions League quarter-final .
In football terms it sounds like sacrilege and that is exactly what it was .
In the wider @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this City team that led to them losing nine league games and being overpowered by Liverpool in the title race , undermined in the FA Cup semi-final against Arsenal and becoming the victims of a classic smash-and-grab here .
Who knows how City would have fared against rampant Bayern Munich after their 8-2 torture of Barcelona ?
We will never know because they have never been good enough to reach the last four under Guardiola .
Guardiola reached the last 16 in his first season at the club and the quarter-finals in three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ simply not good enough and can not be disguised by all the wonderful domestic successes he and City have enjoyed .
City won the title under Roberto Mancini and Manuel Pellegrini and while nothing must be taken away from Guardiola , he was appointed as the man who would cross that final frontier and claim the trophy that would be confirmation of the club 's arrival as a European superpower .
He has yet to achieve it .
Could it be that City and Guardiola lurch under the weight of expectation and hope @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Champions League , the prize regarded as they ultimate destination for the club 's Abu Dhabi-based hierarchy ?
In among the questions surrounding his system , City 's defending was still self-destructive , as it has been too often in key moments in the past .
Guardiola , who surely made a mistake not replacing Vincent Kompany 's leadership and presence when he left , already knows this side is in need of refreshing .
One man who definitely will not be back is the great David Silva , and what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 34-year-old , a club icon after a decade at City , thrown on in a panic to replace Rodri with just six minutes left and the Champions League dream dying before his eyes .
Foden will fill that vacancy , while the promising Spanish attacker Ferran Torres has arrived from Valencia , but it is further back that Guardiola has his most pressing needs .
Laporte is outstanding , although not without flaw , but the arrival of Nathan Ake for £40m from Bournemouth is only a start and surely further reinforcements are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kalidou Koulibaly .
Where does this leave England 's John Stones , who is now a marginalised figure ?
Looking for a new club , one suspects .
City are also vulnerable in the full-back positions , with Kyle Walker inconsistent on the right and none of Benjamin Mendy , Oleksandr Zinchenko or Joao Cancelo looking anything like the class required on the left .
There is so much right with this side .
Just look at the class of Kevin de Bruyne , the brilliance of Raheem Sterling , the easy-on-the-eye style @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Too often this season , however , too much has been wrong and so it was again in Lisbon on Saturday .
Cut this any way you like , but another Champions League exit means this season has simply not been good enough for Manchester City and still leaves that gaping hole in Guardiola 's record of success since his arrival at Etihad Stadium .

Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola (second left) has yet to lead Manchester City beyond the quarter-final stage of the Champions League
Manchester City have had Champions League disappointments before but few will have hurt as much as this - arguably their best chance to finally claim the prize they covet most, cast aside amid controversy but even more by self-inflicted wounds.
Pep Guardiola's side played with a potent mixture of confidence, discipline and panache to dismiss Real Madrid and set up a quarter-final against Lyon in this new one-off format in Lisbon that seemed to suit City perfectly.
And yet, as they have in Guardiola's previous four seasons at City, they have come up short when trying to cross the barrier into the Champions League semi-final.
Guardiola called this a "once in a lifetime" chance but it was wasted as the Catalan was overcome by caution, gripped by conservatism that cost him and his team dear.
First, the shock 3-1 loss to underdogs Lyon means this must now be regarded as a season of relative failure for Guardiola and City when measured against the ambitions, aspirations and standards of the club.
The League Cup was won against Aston Villa but their Premier League title was lost tamely to Liverpool, while the FA Cup holders lost 2-0 to Arsenal in the semi-final.
Dress it up how you like. If City's final reckoning had been flagged up at the start of the season, no-one at Etihad Stadium would have accepted it. At best, very best, it would have been viewed as a desperate letdown.
The Champions League appears to cast a peculiar curse on City and on a manager who has not won it since Barcelona's 3-1 triumph over Manchester United at Wembley in 2011.
City were undone at the quarter-final stage last year by the merest touch and a VAR offside in the final seconds of the second leg against Tottenham, and here they can certainly offer a valid complaint about injustice.
Aymeric Laporte appeared to be clearly upended by Moussa Dembele before he scored Lyon's vital second but sympathy is in short supply for City elsewhere.
Raheem Sterling missed a crucial opportunity to draw the scores level at 2-2
How does Raheem Sterling, 31 goals this season, lash the ball over an open goal from five yards with the score 2-1? And how, just 59 seconds later, does the normally reliable goalkeeper Ederson fumble the most routine shot from Houssem Aouar, allowing Dembele to send City out?
In this instance, however, the main responsibility must lie with an over-thought, over-respectful approach from Guardiola, whose decision to play a back three allowed Lyon a lead and a foothold and left so many of his creators and manipulators-in-chief, such as Bernardo Silva, David Silva, Riyad Mahrez and Phil Foden, on the bench.
It led to a dull first half lacking in creation. City, by Guardiola's own hand, gave Lyon confidence. He looked like he was guilty of over-thinking it again, a common problem with his previous Champions League strategies. Lyon are a decent side, they put Juventus out after all, but good enough for Guardiola to change tack so crucially? Surely not.
Manchester City, managed by Pep Guardiola, lacked creativity in a Champions League quarter-final. In football terms it sounds like sacrilege and that is exactly what it was.
And a fatal error.
In the wider context it simply reaffirmed the faults in this City team that led to them losing nine league games and being overpowered by Liverpool in the title race, undermined in the FA Cup semi-final against Arsenal and becoming the victims of a classic smash-and-grab here.
Ederson has only kept two clean sheets in eight Champions League matches this season
Who knows how City would have fared against rampant Bayern Munich after their 8-2 torture of Barcelona? We will never know because they have never been good enough to reach the last four under Guardiola.
Guardiola reached the last 16 in his first season at the club and the quarter-finals in three subsequent Champions League campaigns. This is simply not good enough and cannot be disguised by all the wonderful domestic successes he and City have enjoyed.
City won the title under Roberto Mancini and Manuel Pellegrini and while nothing must be taken away from Guardiola, he was appointed as the man who would cross that final frontier and claim the trophy that would be confirmation of the club's arrival as a European superpower.
He has yet to achieve it. Could it be that City and Guardiola lurch under the weight of expectation and hope when they arrive at the latter stages of the Champions League, the prize regarded as they ultimate destination for the club's Abu Dhabi-based hierarchy?
In among the questions surrounding his system, City's defending was still self-destructive, as it has been too often in key moments in the past.
City drew level with Lyon in the 69th minute thanks Kevin de Bruyne's strike - but they were behind agan 10 minutes later
Guardiola, who surely made a mistake not replacing Vincent Kompany's leadership and presence when he left, already knows this side is in need of refreshing.
One man who definitely will not be back is the great David Silva, and what a sad end it was for the 34-year-old, a club icon after a decade at City, thrown on in a panic to replace Rodri with just six minutes left and the Champions League dream dying before his eyes.
Foden will fill that vacancy, while the promising Spanish attacker Ferran Torres has arrived from Valencia, but it is further back that Guardiola has his most pressing needs.
Laporte is outstanding, although not without flaw, but the arrival of Nathan Ake for £40m from Bournemouth is only a start and surely further reinforcements are needed in the mould of Napoli's Kalidou Koulibaly.
Where does this leave England's John Stones, who is now a marginalised figure? Looking for a new club, one suspects.
City are also vulnerable in the full-back positions, with Kyle Walker inconsistent on the right and none of Benjamin Mendy, Oleksandr Zinchenko or Joao Cancelo looking anything like the class required on the left.
There is so much right with this side. Just look at the class of Kevin de Bruyne, the brilliance of Raheem Sterling, the easy-on-the-eye style that is gloriously deadly in full cry.
Too often this season, however, too much has been wrong and so it was again in Lisbon on Saturday.
Cut this any way you like, but another Champions League exit means this season has simply not been good enough for Manchester City and still leaves that gaping hole in Guardiola's record of success since his arrival at Etihad Stadium.


bbc--2020-08-16--'How Guardiola made a mess of Man City's big Champions League chance' - Chris Waddle analysis

Manchester City have made a mess of their best chance of winning the Champions League , and Pep Guardiola should put his hands up and say he got it wrong .
City were n't up against a powerhouse like Bayern Munich in Saturday 's quarter-final , they were only playing Lyon .
Yes , the French side were well-organised but they are not a great team - yet Guardiola treated them as if they were , and paid the price .
When they have faced much higher-quality opposition in the Premier League , Guardiola has still picked his normal team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the attack - 'the City way ' , as I would call it .
So , why did he change to an unfamiliar formation to match up with Lyon 's shape and leave the players that would have caused them problems on the bench ?
I spent most of the game trying to work it out .
When he was asked about his tactics afterwards , Guardiola said that it was because he did not want to leave his defenders in two-on-two situations with Lyon 's fast forwards , Memphis Depay and Karl @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three at the back , plus two defensive-minded midfielders in Rodri and Ilkay Gundogan , and Lyon still got in behind them .
If you play a high line at the back , and you allow yourself to be caught square - like City were for Lyon 's first two goals - then that ball over the top will always be on .
What made things worse is that , because Guardiola left out his playmakers , they were not able to control midfield like they would usually do , or regularly open @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coach and usually his teams are exciting to watch , but for some reason he went the opposite way in Lisbon , with a very conservative selection .
It was a very strange set-up and I was even more surprised that Guardiola took so long to change things , because it was clear from the start that it was not working .
As soon as we got the team sheets and saw the City team , I thought Guardiola was paying Lyon too much respect .
City have got so many attacking players @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most of them were sitting in the dug-out .
We were not sure of Guardiola 's formation until the game started but when we saw how they were set up , I did not agree with them going with three at the back , let alone with extra cover in front .
We know City are vulnerable defensively against teams who counter-attack with pace but we also know how effective they are when they go at teams - when they pin you back and move the ball so quickly .
That was not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they played at a very slow tempo that was nothing like the way they harassed Real Madrid last week .
That suited Lyon and let them keep their shape , and they looked very comfortable most of the time .
City 's usual 4-3-3 system would have left Lyon with four attack-minded players to contend with in midfield and on the flanks , as well as Gabriel Jesus .
Instead , they had only two - Raheem Sterling and Kevin de Bruyne - and it was left to them to try to open @ @ @ @ @ @ @ getting away from Jason Denayer but De Bruyne was subdued for most of the first half because Lyon had no other distractions in midfield - they knew Ilkay Gundogan and Rodri were not going to hurt them with their passing or run beyond them - so they could concentrate on limiting the Belgian 's space .
For most of the first half , De Bruyne was forced out wide on the right and City were struggling to get him on the ball in areas where he could create anything .
Whenever he did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and it was only when he switched wings with Sterling that he found a bit more room .
I just do n't understand why Pep did not make any changes until the 55th minute , when Riyad Mahrez came on for Fernandinho , because it was obvious after about 15 minutes that City were not going to make many chances with the team that started the game .
De Bruyne came into the game far more once Mahrez was on the pitch and they switched to a 4-3-3 shape , and yet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ goal , but City needed more players like him , who could open doors .
Instead Guardiola waited , and waited .
He only made one other substitution , when David Silva replaced Rodri with six minutes left .
I am sure he will have his reasons , but it was bizarre to watch .
Lyon were disciplined , worked extremely hard and took their chances , but they are an average side and to lose 3-1 to them is a terrible result for City .
All of the goals City conceded were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from a ball over the top , and the second one was a gift , when it looked like City were starting to get a bit of control of the game at 1-1 .
The video assistant referee had a close look at it before it was allowed to stand but I do n't think it was a foul either .
If you look at the run Moussa Dembele makes when he trips Aymeric Laporte , then they just crossed each other 's paths .
It was completely accidental and , anyway , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ When you watch it again , Eric Garcia steps up into midfield when all he had to do was back-pedal a few yards to prevent it even being a chance .
That was a poor goal to give away , and so was the one that finished City off before the end .
It was not even a shot from Houssem Aouar that Ederson fumbled to allow Dembele to score again , it was more like a back-pass , but Lyon had run through three on three in any case .
Yes , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ equalise seconds earlier but that is not the reason City are out of Europe .
They lost because their game plan was wrong and their performance was not good enough .
At the end , I was left thinking City have got so many talented players - why did n't Pep use them ?

Manchester City have made a mess of their best chance of winning the Champions League, and Pep Guardiola should put his hands up and say he got it wrong.
City weren't up against a powerhouse like Bayern Munich in Saturday's quarter-final, they were only playing Lyon.
Yes, the French side were well-organised but they are not a great team - yet Guardiola treated them as if they were, and paid the price.
When they have faced much higher-quality opposition in the Premier League, Guardiola has still picked his normal team in their regular system and gone on the attack - 'the City way', as I would call it.
So, why did he change to an unfamiliar formation to match up with Lyon's shape and leave the players that would have caused them problems on the bench? I spent most of the game trying to work it out.
When he was asked about his tactics afterwards, Guardiola said that it was because he did not want to leave his defenders in two-on-two situations with Lyon's fast forwards, Memphis Depay and Karl Toko Ekambi.
But City played with three at the back, plus two defensive-minded midfielders in Rodri and Ilkay Gundogan, and Lyon still got in behind them.
If you play a high line at the back, and you allow yourself to be caught square - like City were for Lyon's first two goals - then that ball over the top will always be on.
What made things worse is that, because Guardiola left out his playmakers, they were not able to control midfield like they would usually do, or regularly open Lyon up.
He is a brilliant coach and usually his teams are exciting to watch, but for some reason he went the opposite way in Lisbon, with a very conservative selection.
It was a very strange set-up and I was even more surprised that Guardiola took so long to change things, because it was clear from the start that it was not working.
A slow tempo and the wrong shape
The graphic on the left shows De Bruyne's first-half touches - he started out wide on the right before switching to the left flank after 25 minutes. In the first half, he did not manage a single forward pass counted as successful in open play (in the right-hand graphic, green arrows are successful, red arrows are unsuccessful) but did set up Raheem Sterling with one raking diagonal ball forward from deep on the left in first-half stoppage time. It was counted as unsuccessful because Marcal got a foot to it before it reached Sterling
As soon as we got the team sheets and saw the City team, I thought Guardiola was paying Lyon too much respect.
City have got so many attacking players who Lyon would have feared, but most of them were sitting in the dug-out.
We were not sure of Guardiola's formation until the game started but when we saw how they were set up, I did not agree with them going with three at the back, let alone with extra cover in front.
We know City are vulnerable defensively against teams who counter-attack with pace but we also know how effective they are when they go at teams - when they pin you back and move the ball so quickly.
That was not happening in the first half. Instead they played at a very slow tempo that was nothing like the way they harassed Real Madrid last week. That suited Lyon and let them keep their shape, and they looked very comfortable most of the time.
City's usual 4-3-3 system would have left Lyon with four attack-minded players to contend with in midfield and on the flanks, as well as Gabriel Jesus. Instead, they had only two - Raheem Sterling and Kevin de Bruyne - and it was left to them to try to open Lyon up.
Sterling did well at getting away from Jason Denayer but De Bruyne was subdued for most of the first half because Lyon had no other distractions in midfield - they knew Ilkay Gundogan and Rodri were not going to hurt them with their passing or run beyond them - so they could concentrate on limiting the Belgian's space.
For most of the first half, De Bruyne was forced out wide on the right and City were struggling to get him on the ball in areas where he could create anything. Whenever he did, there was someone close to him, and it was only when he switched wings with Sterling that he found a bit more room.
I just don't understand why Pep did not make any changes until the 55th minute, when Riyad Mahrez came on for Fernandinho, because it was obvious after about 15 minutes that City were not going to make many chances with the team that started the game.
De Bruyne came into the game far more once Mahrez was on the pitch and they switched to a 4-3-3 shape, and yet again he showed his quality with his goal, but City needed more players like him, who could open doors.
Instead Guardiola waited, and waited. He only made one other substitution, when David Silva replaced Rodri with six minutes left. I am sure he will have his reasons, but it was bizarre to watch.
A terrible result for City
Lyon were disciplined, worked extremely hard and took their chances, but they are an average side and to lose 3-1 to them is a terrible result for City.
All of the goals City conceded were awful. The first one is just from a ball over the top, and the second one was a gift, when it looked like City were starting to get a bit of control of the game at 1-1.
The video assistant referee had a close look at it before it was allowed to stand but I don't think it was a foul either. If you look at the run Moussa Dembele makes when he trips Aymeric Laporte, then they just crossed each other's paths.
It was completely accidental and, anyway, it was all avoidable for City. When you watch it again, Eric Garcia steps up into midfield when all he had to do was back-pedal a few yards to prevent it even being a chance.
That was a poor goal to give away, and so was the one that finished City off before the end.
It was not even a shot from Houssem Aouar that Ederson fumbled to allow Dembele to score again, it was more like a back-pass, but Lyon had run through three on three in any case.
Yes, Sterling had missed that glorious chance to equalise seconds earlier but that is not the reason City are out of Europe.
They lost because their game plan was wrong and their performance was not good enough. At the end, I was left thinking City have got so many talented players - why didn't Pep use them?
Chris Waddle was speaking to BBC Sport's Chris Bevan.