Australia's Anthony Albanese is in Beijing this weekend for the first such trip in seven years.

Anthony Albanese to hold talks with Xi Jinping

Brazilian forward Antony stepped off the bench to send Manchester United through to the Europa League last 16 as the hosts came from behind to beat Barcelona 2-1 in Thursday's playoff second leg and progress 4-3 on aggregate. After a frantic start, Barca were awarded an 18th-minute penalty when Bruno Fernandes was adjudged to have fouled defender Alejandro Balde and Robert Lewandowski just squeezed the spot-kick home.

Manchester United came out for the second half looking like a different side and levelled through Fred, the Brazilian steering home Fernandes's pass two minutes after the break.

A superb save from goalkeeper David de Gea kept out an effort from Barca's Jules Kounde, a stop that proved crucial as Antony arrowed a superb finish into the bottom corner 17 minutes from time to send United through. Manchester United remain in four competitions this season as they bid to win their first major trophy since 2017.

"The belief of the team is always there," Fernandes told BT Sport. "The belief of the fans, they push us through difficult moments. "We have made great comebacks; the club is made also by that. In the past we have done a lot like this result."

Both sides have improved a great deal under their new coaches this season, with some of the football in the first leg testament to that and setting the tie up nicely for the return fixture under the lights at Old Trafford.

FERNANDES DENIED

Manchester United started well with captain Fernandes denied by a superb Marc-Andre ter Stegen save after being picked out by Casemiro. Then came the moment that had Old Trafford united in incredulity as referee Clement Turpin pointed to the spot, a decision Fernandes could not believe. De Gea got a hand to Lewandowski's penalty, but could not claw it out.

The Polish striker has now scored 25 goals in 30 appearances across all competitions for the LaLiga leaders this season, the 12th successive campaign in which he has netted 25 or more goals at club level.

United did not create a chance of note for the remainder of the first half but whatever coach Erik ten Hag said at the break had an immediate effect as Fernandes found Fred to level. The save from De Gea to tip Kounde's header over was world class and the finish from Antony also right out of the top drawer.

Substitutes have made a huge difference for United this term, with 19 goals scored by replacements in all competitions, the most of any big-five European league side in 2022-23.

The hosts survived nervy late moments, but saw out a first win over Barca since 2008 -- 1-0 in the second leg of the 2007-08 Champions League semi-final -- to end a five-game winless run against the Spanish side.

"United were very intense in that second half," Barca coach Xavi Hernandez said. "They are in very good form at the moment and are very good at home. It is those fine details that made all the difference.

"If Pedri or Gavi had been there today, maybe it would have been different in the second half."

Brazilian forward Antony stepped off the bench to send Manchester United through to the Europa League last 16 as the hosts came from behind to beat Barcelona 2-1 in Thursday's playoff second leg and progress 4-3 on aggregate.

Brazilian forward Antony stepped off the bench to send Manchester United through to the Europa League last 16 as the hosts came from behind to beat Barcelona 2-1 in Thursday's playoff second leg and progress 4-3 on aggregate. After a frantic start, Barca were awarded an 18th-minute penalty when Bruno Fernandes was adjudged to have fouled defender Alejandro Balde and Robert Lewandowski just squeezed the spot-kick home. Manchester United came out for the second half looking like a different side and levelled through Fred, the Brazilian steering home Fernandes's pass two minutes after the break. A superb save from goalkeeper David de Gea kept out an effort from Barca's Jules Kounde, a stop that proved crucial as Antony arrowed a superb finish into the bottom corner 17 minutes from time to send United through. Manchester United remain in four competitions this season as they bid to win their first major trophy since 2017. "The belief of the team is always there," Fernandes told BT Sport. "The belief of the fans, they push us through difficult moments. "We have made great comebacks; the club is made also by that. In the past we have done a lot like this result." Both sides have improved a great deal under their new coaches this season, with some of the football in the first leg testament to that and setting the tie up nicely for the return fixture under the lights at Old Trafford. FERNANDES DENIED Manchester United started well with captain Fernandes denied by a superb Marc-Andre ter Stegen save after being picked out by Casemiro. Then came the moment that had Old Trafford united in incredulity as referee Clement Turpin pointed to the spot, a decision Fernandes could not believe. De Gea got a hand to Lewandowski's penalty, but could not claw it out. The Polish striker has now scored 25 goals in 30 appearances across all competitions for the LaLiga leaders this season, the 12th successive campaign in which he has netted 25 or more goals at club level. United did not create a chance of note for the remainder of the first half but whatever coach Erik ten Hag said at the break had an immediate effect as Fernandes found Fred to level. The save from De Gea to tip Kounde's header over was world class and the finish from Antony also right out of the top drawer. Substitutes have made a huge difference for United this term, with 19 goals scored by replacements in all competitions, the most of any big-five European league side in 2022-23. The hosts survived nervy late moments, but saw out a first win over Barca since 2008 -- 1-0 in the second leg of the 2007-08 Champions League semi-final -- to end a five-game winless run against the Spanish side. "United were very intense in that second half," Barca coach Xavi Hernandez said. "They are in very good form at the moment and are very good at home. It is those fine details that made all the difference. "If Pedri or Gavi had been there today, maybe it would have been different in the second half."

Europa League: Manchester United beat Barcelona on aggregate at Old Trafford, cruises to pre-quarters

Heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua indulged in a verbal spat with Bulgarian Kubrat Pulev on Friday at their weigh-in for Saturday's title clash. Also read: NBA star LeBron James named as TIME magazine's Athlete of the Year Anthony Joshua is putting his WBA, IBF and WBO belts on the line at Wembley Arena on Saturday.

Heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua indulged in a verbal spat with Bulgarian Kubrat Pulev on Friday at their weigh-in for Saturday's title clash. Also read: NBA star LeBron James named as TIME magazine's Athlete of the Year Anthony Joshua is putting his WBA, IBF and WBO belts on the line at Wembley Arena on Saturday. He hit the scales at 17 stone and 2.8 pounds, that was heavier than a year ago when the Briton reclaimed his titles from Andy Ruiz in Saudi Arabia, at 16 stone 13, but lighter than the first Ruiz fight where he weighed in at 17 stone nine and suffered a shock defeat. The Bulgarian, who weighed a pound lighter than the Briton, said that he was in fighting mood. Also read: 'You’re our Paul Pogba': Piers Morgan gets involved in war of words with Ozil "I'm amazing. Amazing boxing, amazing style. I'll show the whole world tomorrow that I am much better than him," the Bulgarian told Sky Sports. "I don't hate him. I tell him three, four, five times that I respect him... I respect that he takes this fight. "I feel amazing. I am now in paradise. I want to give the people a show because the people need a show because now is pandemic time and only movies not reality. Now we need reality and I show the people. Tomorrow evening, new world champion." Joshua reacted to Pulev's verbal jibe. "That's just him doing what fighters do," he said. "That doesn't really intimidate me. "I would have just clapped him in his jaw there and then," added the champion. "But I've got to do it tomorrow. "I know what he's like, I studied him. He thinks he's a warrior. But I said don't let the guys that you fought gas you up. You're in against a real one now. "When people come in the ring with me they're confident and then after a few rounds their soul gets destroyed once I see that I can take them out." (Input from Reuters)

Verbal jabs from Pulev but Anthony Joshua says he's heard it all before

As the United States continues to battle the coronavirus, there is another war brewing at the white house. The Trump administration is now clashing with its expert and its new target is the top US infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci.

Trump administration vs Fauci amid COVID-19 pandemic

US Dr. Anthony Fauci suggested that lives could have been saved if the President had acted sooner on warnings about the coronavirus. Watch report.

Dr. Fauci makes a stunning claim: US could have avoided COVID-19 deaths

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