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
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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
Raymond van Barneveld 0-3 (1-0) Luke Littler
Barney averaged 103 in the third set but was out scored by Littler who averaged 110. That is insane.
Van Barneveld does what he needs to in the opening leg of the fourth set and closes out 24 with one dart.
World Darts Championship LIVE
Raymond van Barneveld 0-3 (0-0) Luke Littler
180! A fifth maximum of the match for Luke Littler puts him onto the front foot and leaves 94 after nine darts. Barney doesn’t get to a finish and Littler has three darts to take out 40 for a three set lead.
He needs one!
World Darts Championship LIVE
Raymond van Barneveld 0-2 (2-2) Luke Littler
Littler has made one mistake all match and now may lose the third set. He needs to break Van Barneveld here to keep this one alive and the 180 start is perfect.
Barney has the chance to secure the set but misses two darts at double 16.
Littler needs 65, he hits the green ring around the bullseye then lands double 20! The set is back on.
World Darts Championship LIVE
Raymond van Barneveld 0-2 (2-1) Luke Littler
Littler leaves 85 after nine darts and hits 15, treble 10 to leave double 20. He goes wide but will have another shot to win the leg. He doesn’t take it though as he hits 20 and then 10.
Barney makes him pay by closing out the leg and moving ahead in the set. Can he nick it away from the teenager?
World Darts Championship LIVE
Raymond van Barneveld 0-2 (1-1) Luke Littler
Bang! Just when he needed it Raymond van Barneveld steps up to the plate. Under huge pressure from Littler, Barney closes out a 127 with a bullseye finish to clinch the leg.
World Darts Championship LIVE
Raymond van Barneveld 0-2 (0-1) Luke Littler
If Luke Littler wins this set, with the darts, Raymond van Barneveld would need to overturn a three set deficit. He starts with a 134, 140, and a 127.
Leaving 100, Littler hits 20, then double tops twice! The leg is his.
World Darts Championship LIVE
Raymond van Barneveld 0-2 (0-0) Luke Littler
Oh my word.
140, 140, 180 from Littler leaves him with 48 to checkout. He goes 8, misses double 20 and then hits it!
Raymond van Barneveld is two sets down. Incredible scenes.
World Darts Championship LIVE
Raymond van Barneveld 0-1 (1-2) Luke Littler
Here’s a fight back. A big score from Barney leaves him with 24 and a double 12 finish which he puts away easily enough. Littler now needs to hold throw to take the set.
World Darts Championship LIVE
Raymond van Barneveld 0-1 (0-2) Luke Littler
A 140 from Littler leaves a tough 144 finish for the teenager to hold throw. He hits treble 20, hits it again and then slips under the double 12.
The crowd got very excited.
12 left, Littler hits 6. He hits double 3 and moves to within one leg of winning the second set too!
World Darts Championship LIVE
Raymond van Barneveld 0-1 (0-1) Luke Littler
Luke Littler averaged 103 and hit three of his four attempts at doubles in the first set. If he keeps that up Van Barneveld will need to improve massively.
Barney opens up the second set with some solid darts to leave himself 161. He takes 90 and is forced to take out 71 but doesn’t.
Littler has 45 left. He hits 5 and then double 20 to steal the leg!
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