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World Darts Championship LIVE: Latest updates as Luke Littler demolishes Raymond van Barneveld in last-16

The 56-year-old Dutchman crashed out as the 16-year-old Englishman won 4-1

Michael Jones
Sunday 31 December 2023 00:32 GMT
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Teenage darts sensation Luke Littler admits he has ‘nothing to lose’ in historic run

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Teenage sensation Luke Littler continued his historic World Darts Championship journey by downing hero Raymond van Barneveld to reach the quarter-finals.

The 16-year-old has set the Alexandra Palace tournament alight on debut and is the youngest player ever to reach the last eight after a stunning 4-1 win. He showed maturity and talent way beyond his tender years to get past the five-time world champion, who he used to imitate in front of the television as a three-year-old.

Luke Humphries then clinched a classic that came down to a sudden death leg against Joe Cullen. Both men had darts at winning the match but it has the world number three who managed to get through to the quarter-finals.

Brendan Dolan also beat his second former world champion in three days when he ousted Gary Anderson 4-3. The Northern Irishman, who dumped out Gerwyn Price in the third round, was heading out as Anderson rallied from 2-0 down to lead 3-2 but he fought back to claim the final two sets and reach the last eight.

Relive all the action from the World Darts Championship below:

World Darts Championship LIVE

Luke Humphries 0-2 (1-0) Joe Cullen

Joe Cullen has the darts in the third set and if he wins this one too then Luke Humphries is facing a last-16 exit from the World Championship.

Cullen lands a maximum before following it up woth a 100 to leave 121 after nine darts. He doesn’t take it but leaves 78. A score of 38 sees him leave one dart at 40 but he misses.

Humphries breaks throw in response.

Mike Jones30 December 2023 22:57

World Darts Championship LIVE

Luke Humphries 0-2 (0-0) Joe Cullen

The nine darter was on for Luke Humphries who gets seven darts into a perfect leg but misses the treble 19 and has to lay up. Cullen scores well too and has the chance to take out 100 but it goes begging.

Humphries misses out on 32 leaving Cullen to hit 40.

He hits 20, misses double 10 and then hits it! He takes the second set in a sweep.

Mike Jones30 December 2023 22:51

World Darts Championship LIVE

Luke Humphries 0-1 (0-2) Joe Cullen

Humphries is struggling at the start of this set. Cullen isn’t scoring particularly well but it’s enough to keep him in front. He’s got 140 to win the leg and hits treble 20 twice before slipping inside the double 10.

Humphries goes for back-to-back double 19s to win the leg but the second dart slips out and Cullen secures the leg.

Mike Jones30 December 2023 22:49

World Darts Championship LIVE

Luke Humphries 0-1 (0-1) Joe Cullen

Humphries needs to get off to a good start in this set after letting a chance to break slip away. After such a tasking match last time out he needs to keep focused and keep Cullen at bay.

Cullen is first to a finish though and leaves 78. One dart at double 20 doesn’t land but Humphries can’t clean out 170 and Cullen hits double 10 to take control of the set.

Mike Jones30 December 2023 22:46

World Darts Championship LIVE

Luke Humphries 0-1 (0-0) Joe Cullen

Cullen’s 140 is met with a 180 before Humprhires follows up with a 140. He sets up to leave 58 with Cullen on 170. He doesn’t get the checkout.

Humphries misses his attempt at double 20 leaving Cullen the chance to clean up double 18 which he takes!

Wonderful back and forth in that set.

Mike Jones30 December 2023 22:40

World Darts Championship LIVE

Luke Humphries 0-0 (2-2) Joe Cullen

Joe Cullen is one a nine darter! He hits seven of them and then just slips under the treble 20. He leaves 16 to break back immediately and takes it without too much trouble.

Can Cullen win the set now?

Mike Jones30 December 2023 22:38

World Darts Championship LIVE

Luke Humphries 0-0 (2-1) Joe Cullen

Can Humphries upset things with a 146 finish?

No. He leaves 51 and could break after Cullen doesn’t take out 120. He takes out double 16 and moves ahead against the throw.

Just the start he needed.

Mike Jones30 December 2023 22:37

World Darts Championship LIVE

Luke Humphries 0-0 (1-1) Joe Cullen

Humphries leaves himself 97 and has a decent chance to hold throw but only scores 41. Cullen almost takes out a three figures finish but leaves 50.

Humphries then messes 56 but Cullen fails to punish him and leg goes to the number three seed.

Mike Jones30 December 2023 22:35

World Darts Championship LIVE

Luke Humphries 0-0 (0-1) Joe Cullen

Joe Cullen starts off the match. Both these players are quick throwers and should be able to test each other throughout. Luke Humphries came through a tricky match last time out but hits a maximum in this opening leg to kick things off nicely.

Cullen has the chance to hold but taking out 78. He does.

Mike Jones30 December 2023 22:33

World Darts Championship LIVE

Raymond van Barneveld 1-4 Luke Littler

(PA)
(Getty Images)
Mike Jones30 December 2023 22:19

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