Every sports fan has a few days marked on calendar for games the simply cannot be missed. And if you are a serious sports fan, then October 24, 2021 should be highlighted in the boldest possible colours.
The second last Sunday of this October sees not one but five epic contests in the world of sport. Football fans will be spoilt for choice, as they have Manchester United v Liverpool, El Clasico and Inter v Juve in Serie A to chose from. Good luck, however, to those who want to want to watch both the EPL and La Liga showdowns as their timings clash.
Around the same time we have the biggest match in the world of sport - India v Pakistan in a World Cup. The traditional rivals have been restricted to facing each other only in multi-team tournaments owing to India's political stance on bilateral sporting ties with Pakistan.
We are not done here. Later in the evening, we have the US Grand Prix where Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton will aim to take a decisive edge in the driver's championship race as the season enters the final stretch.
With so much happening, here is how and when you can catch all the action on October 24, 2021 in the UAE:
India v Pakistan
6pm (UAE time) on CricLife Max channel on Etisalat’s eLife TV, Switch TV, and STARZPLAY app
Whenever the South Asian heavyweights face off, it attracts a staggering number of eyeballs. The 2019 World Cup in England was the most watched ICC event ever, with the India v Pakistan match topping the charts with 273 million viewers on TV and another 50 million digital-only viewers. That was a 50-over contest affected by rain. So expect the upcoming 20-over contest to break those records.
Barcelona v Real Madrid
6:15pm on beIN Sports
El Clasico kicks off an unbelievable evening for football fans. Barca are clearly struggling in every single aspect of the game - seventh in the table, in deep financial doldrums and a serious management crisis. Still, there is a ray of hope in youngsters Gavi and Ansu Fati. And they will need every ounce of positivity against Madrid who are near the front of the pack.
Salah's goal in 2021-22 season
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1. Mohamed Salah's first goal of the season came in Liverpool's first game of the season, a 3-0 victory at newly promoted Norwich City on August 14. Reuters -
2. Salah's second goal came on August 28, in Liverpool's 1-1 draw with Chelsea. Reuters -
3. No 3 of the season was at Leeds United, where Liverpool won 3-0. EPA -
4. Another for Salah in the Premier League in the 3-0 win against Crystal Palace on September 18. AFP -
5. A thrilling 3-3 draw at Brentford on September 25 saw Salah claim another goal. AFP -
6. A goal that will be talked about for years to come: Salah scores a wonderful strike in the 2-2 draw with Manchester City on October 3. EPA -
7. The international break did nothing to slow Salah's form, as he danced around Watford's bewildered defence to score in the 5-0 win at Vicarage Road. Reuters -
8. Salah scores the third against Manchester United in Liverpool's 5-0 Premier League triumph on October 24. Getty -
9. Salah was soon at it again, adding the fourth at Old Trafford. Getty -
10. A hat-trick for Salah, adding the fifth in Liverpool's 5-0 win at Manchester United. Getty -
11. After three games without a goal, Salah is back on the scoresheet in the 4-0 demolition of Arsenal in the Premier League on November 20. EPA -
12. Another to delight the Liverpool fans as Salah scores his side's second goal during the 4-1 Merseyside derby win at Everton on December 1. AP -
13. His next came in the same match at Goodison Park. EPA -
14. The only goal of the game in the 1-0 Premier League victory over Aston Villa at Anfield on December 11. EPA -
15. Liverpool keep the momentum going with a 3-1 win over Newcastle at Anfield, with Salah netting the second, on December 16. Reuters -
16. Salah celebrates another goal in the 2-2 draw at Chelsea on January 2. AP -
17. Salah scores the second goal in the 3-1 win against Norwich on February 19. PA -
18. Mohamed Salah scores in the 6-0 win against Leeds on February 23. PA -
19. Salah after scoring his second goal of the game against Leeds. AP -
20. Another stunning season for Mohamed Salah as he notches Premier League goal No 20 in the 2-0 win at Brighton on March 12. PA
Manchester United v Liverpool
7:30pm on beIN Sports
Cristiano Ronaldo v Mohamed Salah at Old Trafford, both in peak form. The Portuguese will be out to stamp his authority in what has been an encouraging return to United, while Salah will have slightly different motivations. The Egyptian's contract discussions with Liverpool have not moved ahead smoothly, and this could be a chance for the star forward to make a statement on the pitch following a brilliant statement start to the new season.
Marseille v PSG
10.45pm on beIN Sports
Paris-Saint Germain are the team of the season, with Lionel Messi teaming up with Neymar and Kylian Mbappe. However, it has not been the smoothest of starts for Messi personally, even though PSG are at the table summit - as always. In his first five games in all competitions, Messi scored one goal. Let's see what Marseille bring out of him.
Internazionale v Juventus
10:45pm, beIN Sports
Derby d'Italia to cap things off for football fans. Inter have made a strong start to the season, while Juventus have been indifferent. But the derby is the most intense match-up in Italian football, so the energy will be different. Juve, moreover, have lost just one of their last 11 matches with Inter.
United States Grand Prix
11pm on MBC Action
This is turning out to be a sensational fight for the driver's championship. Lewis Hamilton and young challenger Max Verstappen and neck and neck as the season enters the final stretch. Both drivers have shown desire to push their limits in the race to the top. Whatever happens, this will not be boring.
