- Coppola faces press after epic 'Megalopolis' splits Cannes
- China offers to buy up commercial housing to boost property market
- US military says first aid delivered to Gaza via temporary pier
- Muslim professionals quit 'hostile' France in silent brain drain
- China cuts rates, could buy up commercial housing to boost property market
- Costner, Gere, Demi Moore: Hollywood icons on Cannes comeback trail
- Brazil to host 2027 Women's World Cup as Gaza overshadows FIFA meeting
- Palestinians call for Israeli ban as Gaza war spills into football
- Crisis-ridden Boeing hopes for quiet annual meeting
- Vienna Festival director Milo Rau hits back at anti-Semitism accusations
- China says could buy up commercial housing to boost property market
- Rapidus 'last opportunity' to put Japan back on global chip map
- Despite Western pressure, China in no hurry to reduce Russia support
- For sale: unique piece of land in strategic Arctic archipelago
- La Rochelle in the spotlight as tight Top 14 run-in commences
- Three key issues to watch for in La Liga this weekend
- Departing Hayes urges Chelsea to seize 'second chance' in WSL race
- Leverkusen eye 'immortality' as Union fight for final day survival
- Klopp leaves lasting legacy after restoring Liverpool to elite
- Putin in trade push on final day of China trip
- Timberwolves crush Nuggets to stay alive in NBA playoffs
- Taiwan president takes office under close scrutiny
- Israel to hit back at 'genocide' claims at UN top court
- Chinese officials meet to mull support for developers: Bloomberg
- 'Hindu nation': Religion trumps caste in India vote
- Asian stocks mixed after Wall St, Europe retreat from records
- Taiwan's Lai to bolster 'porcupine' defence against China threat
- Dominican Republic to vote in poll dominated by Haiti crisis
- The Dominican Republic: from Columbus to cruise ships
- Forced to give birth after rape, Honduran woman seeks UN remedy
- Reddit gives OpenAI access to its wealth of posts
- Turkey court jails Kurdish leader for 42 years over 2014 unrest
- US plans to end leasing in its largest coal-producing region
- Kim's sister denies N. Korea exporting weapons to Russia
- Schauffele equals record-low major round with 62 to lead PGA
- Alternate Lee seizes opportunity to grab LPGA Americas Open lead
- Swiatek to face Sabalenka for Rome title and Serena record
- Mystik Dan goes for Triple Crown 2nd leg in Preakness
- 'Grand Theft Auto VI' release set for late 2025
- Global coral bleaching event expanding to new countries: scientists
- US Republicans confront Biden over pausing arms to Israel
- Lopez double earns Barca win at relegated Almeria
- Weather eases Canadian oil sands city wildfire menace
- Messi's record $20.4 million salary dwarfs entire MLS teams
- Jarry stuns Tsitsipas to reach Rome Open semi-finals
- US ends leasing in its largest coal-producing region
- Chad junta chief officially wins election
- Florida slammed for bill striking climate change from state law
- Exhibition traces Jewish origins of Hollywood
- 'I'm ready': Fury to pray for Usyk before heavyweight clash
Leverkusen beat Roma to put one foot in Europa League final
Bayer Leverkusen have one foot in the Europa League final after winning 2-0 at Roma on Thursday to extend their remarkable unbeaten run to 47 matches.
Goals in each half from Florian Wirtz and Robert Andrich ensured victory for Xabi Alonso's men in the Italian capital and gave the Bundesliga champions a great chance of reaching the final in Dublin later this month.
Leverkusen will meet either Atalanta or Marseille in Ireland should they hold out in Germany next week. On the evidence of their performance in Rome they will be firm favourites to win their first European trophy since the old UEFA Cup in 1988.
Alonso's team have needed a string of last gasp goals to keep their unbeaten run going in recent weeks but there was no need for any frantic finishes in the Italian capital as Leverkusen's superiority was fully on display.
Roma face a huge task if they are to reach a third European final in as many years after barely troubling Matej Kovar's goal beyond Romelu Lukaku striking the woodwork with the scores level.
Daniele De Rossi's team are also in a dogfight to reach next season's revamped Champions League in Serie A while Leverkusen remain on course for a Bundesliga, German Cup and Europa League treble.
Leverkusen started with Victor Boniface and former Roma man Patrik Schick on the bench as Alonso, who is gunning for an unbeaten season, started with a conservative line-up.
It was a cagey affair until Lukaku headed onto the crossbar in the 22nd minute after Leandro Paredes did brilliantly to bring down an overhit corner and hook the ball back for the Belgium forward.
Moments later the away fans briefly roared with celebration as Jeremie Frimpong slipped clean through a dozing Roma back line and lifted his finish into the side netting.
But the Leverkusen fans didn't have to wait long to see their side take the lead, and it was another Roma slip up which allowed it to happened in the 28th minute.
Rick Karsdorp cleaned up after Chris Smalling misjudged a header but his weak back pass allowed Alejandro Grimaldo to set up Wirtz for a simple finish.
The hosts were lucky not to be two down five minutes later when Frimpong flashed wide from a great position.
Roma looked shaky every time Leverkusen came forward and after Smalling gave away a cheap corner under pressure from Amine Adli the home defence left Piero Hincapie free to head over the bar six minutes after the break.
Bryan Cristante lanced a great chance wide from Paulo Dybala's corner but Roma's fans were finally deflated in the 73rd by Andrich's brilliant strike which put the tie firmly in Leverkusen's hands.
Roma would have had a lifeline in stoppage time had substitute Tammy Abraham not headed over in front of an open goal but instead their European adventure is all but over.
O.Krause--BTB