Luke Littler vs Stephen Bunting LIVE! World Darts Championship latest score and updates after Van Gerwen win

World Darts Championship – LIVE!

Luke Littler takes on Stephen Bunting for a place in the World Darts Championship final. Three-time champion Michael van Gerwen was in ruthless mood to book his place in the showpiece event, dropping just one set as he thrashed Chris Dobey.

It had been expected that tonight would bring a repeat of last year’s final between Littler and Luke Humphries, but the defending champion was beaten by Peter Wright in the fourth round, before Bunting then eased past Wright to continue his bid for a first world title. Van Gerwen came through an epic clash with Callan Rydz but was rarely tested in a 6-1 win over Dobey.

Littler, meanwhile, saw off close friend Nathan Aspinall in the semi-finals and the 17-year-old is very much the man to beat. Van Gerwen at 24 is the youngest man to win this tournament, but there is every chance that Littler smashes that record tomorrow night. Follow all the action from Alexandra Palace with Standard Sport’s LIVE blog below!

World Darts Championship semi-finals latest news

MVG too good!

21:10 , Matt Verri

It was ruthless from Michael van Gerwen.

Spells where his scoring dropped off, but he stepped it up when he needed to.

An average of just under 99 and near enough 43% on doubles is not too shabby.

Dobey 1-6 Van Gerwen

21:04 , Matt Verri

140 to start from MVG – it’s all gone very quiet.

That gets the crowd going, though. Dobey 180, he’s not quite out of this yet.

But this is so clinical from MVG. Another 180 and it’s 41 after nine darts. Ridiculously good.

Two match darts… come and go. Dobey still alive, but the 164 has to go.

Can’t do it, so MVG is back. There it is!

D16 wraps up victory and it’s a seventh world final for Van Gerwen!

Dobey 1-5 Van Gerwen (1-2)

21:02 , Matt Verri

Leg is right in the balance… until Dobey finds single five twice in a row. He now might have to take out 158 just to hold throw.

Can’t do it, so it’s 82 for MVG to break.

25, 17… tops! Big celebration from the Dutchman and he is one leg away from victory.

Dobey 1-5 Van Gerwen (1-1)

21:00 , Matt Verri

MVG has definitely stepped it up in this set.

He’s an inch away from taking out 134, can’t quite find D16 but there’s no real pressure from Dobey.

Two more missed darts at double… but MVG finally takes the leg on D8. 1-1.

Dobey 1-5 Van Gerwen (1-0)

20:59 , Matt Verri

MVG with a 180 to start the set – fancies racing to the finish line.

And another one! Six perfect darts again… can he take out the 141 for the nine-darter this time?

Nope, again the seventh dart lets him down. Boooooo.

MVG then misses a couple of darts at D12, gives Dobey a chance at the 120.

He’s got a dart at tops… takes it! Six perfect darts from MVG and still doesn’t win the leg.

Dobey 1-5 Van Gerwen

20:57 , Matt Verri

This is a massive leg. Dobey has to find a break – but a visit of 58 to start doesn’t help.

And MVG fires in a 180, perfect time for that. He’s picked his moments in this match.

He’s down to 95 after nine darts, suddenly raced through the gears again.

A 13-dart leg to win the set for MVG! He’s one away from the final – Dobey needs to win five on the bounce.

Dobey 1-4 Van Gerwen (2-2)

20:55 , Matt Verri

There are some much better signs for Dobey. Another 180, his scoring is so much better than MVG right now.

Dutchman has been really up and down, with the odd big finish thrown in.

There’s the up – 135 visit from MVG and that leaves him 36.

Dobey needs to take out 160 to stop him coming back for it, can’t do so.

MVG pins D18 and he levels this set… will throw for it.

Dobey 1-4 Van Gerwen (2-1)

20:53 , Matt Verri

Poor final dart from MVG leaves him back on 153 and Dobey really piles the pressure on, great set-up to leave 40.

But here comes MVG again… 153 nearly goes! Juuuust missed the D18.

Dobey back to wrap up the leg and there is the break he needed.

Dobey 1-4 Van Gerwen (1-1)

20:51 , Matt Verri

Signs that Dobey’s scoring is starting to step up. 180 followed by a 140 and this should be a routine hold.

41 left, Dobey opts for D16. Takes it out at the first time of asking, rock solid leg.

Dobey 1-4 Van Gerwen (0-1)

20:50 , Matt Verri

MVG with the darts at the start of this set – Dobey needs to find his best. Now.

Bit like that, a second 180 of the match and he’s in charge of this opening leg… at least until that visit of 44.

Dobey does though have six darts from 186 and he leaves himself 90. Not a huge amount of pressure on it either, with MVG back on 158.

D5 for Dobey… high.

And MVG STEALS the leg! Stunning checkout of 158 and that’s another body blow to Dobey.

MVG two away…

20:46 , Matt Verri

An absolute mess in the third leg of that set from both of them, but it doesn’t cost MVG in the end.

He’s two sets away from the final and it’s going to need something very, very special from Dobey now.

Dobey 1-4 Van Gerwen

20:43 , Matt Verri

MVG lost his focus there at the end of that leg – but he’s still a firm favourite to wrap this set up.

Very nearly takes out 140, just misses the D10.

Dobey on 146 to pinch this leg, T19 is good but can’t back it up.

MVG with D10 for the set… job done this time. He leads 4-1 in this semi-final.

Dobey 1-3 Van Gerwen (1-2)

20:41 , Matt Verri

MVG has effectively taken the darts, he’s eyeing a sixth straight leg.

First to a finish, 128. Dobey with a really poor visit and he’s all the way back on 210.

The standard has really dropped all of a sudden, neither can find a treble. And MVG then misses a couple at D8.

Dobey on 152, this would be miraculous the way he’s throwing.

No miracle – but he’ll be back for 52! Three more missed at D8 from MVG!

And Dobey takes advantage (eventually) to take the lead.

Dobey 1-3 Van Gerwen (0-2)

20:38 , Matt Verri

Scoring from Dobey just isn’t good enough at the moment. Only had only 180 in the match so far.

MVG looking for another ton-plus finish, tops for 108… just misses it.

Dobey on 124 and you feel it basically has to go – a single one ruins that early doors.

MVG cleans it up and he’s on the verge of a three-set lead.

Dobey 1-3 Van Gerwen (0-1)

20:36 , Matt Verri

Dobey averaged 82 in the last set – MVG at 107.36. Dominant stuff.

There is a chance for MVG on the Dobey throw to kick off this set, sat on 126.

Can’t find the T19, though, so Dobey will be back. 78 left – but he misses two darts at double.

MVG cleans up D14 at the first time of asking and it’s a break.

Dobey 1-3 Van Gerwen

20:30 , Matt Verri

Dobey hasn’t had a sniff in this leg, been a brilliant response to the third set from MVG.

He’s on 73 and he’ll almost certainly have six darts at it if he needs that.

Three will do! Tops from MVG and he wins the fourth set 3-0.

Dobey 1-2 Van Gerwen (0-2)

20:28 , Matt Verri

Bit of an MVG charge coming? 180 to start the leg, his third of the match.

Four perfect darts, five perfect darts, six perfect darts! Nobody move…

But it stays at six, can’t find the T20. Not all bad though, MVG on 32 after nine darts.

And it’s a ten-dart break of throw!

Dobey 1-2 Van Gerwen (0-1)

20:27 , Matt Verri

Three legs on the bounce for Dobey then, to get himself back in this match. Now he needs to get to work on the MVG throw.

Van Gerwen in charge of this opening leg, even with a bounce-out slowing his progress.

Both leave 100, MVG with the first shot at it. Needs only two darts to take this out, much more like it.

Dobey 1-2 Van Gerwen

20:25 , Matt Verri

Crowd support now firmly behind Dobey after that 170 – momentum is with him. He has the throw to wrap up this set.

MVG has left himself on 170 – can he immediately respond with one of his own? Can’t find the first treble.

Dobey only on 150, though. It doesn’t go so MVG back for 74.

Well he makes a mess of it. Just about gets a dart at tops, but that’s not particularly close.

Dobey for a 108 and he checks that out as well to take the set! Game on.

Dobey 0-2 Van Gerwen (2-0)

20:22 , Matt Verri

Scoring from MVG hasn’t been great since the opening set. Dobey still right in this if he can clean up the finishing.

Right then, both players on 170.

Dobey… TAKES IT OUT! The fourth 170 checkout of the tournament, huge roar from the Ally Pally crowd.

Dobey 0-2 Van Gerwen (1-0)

20:21 , Matt Verri

MVG averaged 91.40 in that second set, Dobey 102.08… still the Dutchman won it!

There’s already on the Dobey throw here, a 140 from MVG and he’s down to 48.

Can Dobey take out 160 – no. Big problems for him.

Couple of darts at D16 for MVG, can’t take either of them. Back to Dobey, needs to take out 80. But it’s more missed darts at a double.

Not to worry – MVG hits D16, only problem is he needs D8. Busts his score.

Dobey nearly busts his score, two poor attempts at a double but finally does find D10 to take the leg!

Dobey wasteful

20:16

Three chances for Dobey to level this match up… doubles let him down.

Already feels like the next set is close to must-win for Dobey, who will have the darts. Can’t go 3-0 down.

Dobey 0-2 Van Gerwen

20:13 , Matt Verri

Dobey needs something big with MVG having the darts – 140 is a decent start.

MVG follows that with 59, can Dobey punish it? He can, two-treble visit and the pressure is on Van Gerwen.

Dobey is down to 96 after nine darts, nothing MVG to stop him getting a shot at that. In fact, he can only leave himself 170.

Dobey has to settle for setting up 40 and hoping MVG doesn’t take out the biggest checkout of them all… which he doesn’t.

Wild first dart from Dobey, over to D10. And over to D5… misses that too! Huge moment.

MVG on 74. And he takes it out on D16 – huge roar! He leads 2-0, Dobey with the big missed opportunity.

Dobey 0-1 Van Gerwen (2-2)

20:11 , Matt Verri

MVG 5/7 on his doubles so far. Ruthless from the Dutchman.

Dobey with a great visit to leave himself 48 and he’ll be back for it, with MVG on 180.

16 leaves D16 – Dobey finds it. To a decider in this set…

Dobey 0-1 Van Gerwen (1-2)

20:09 , Matt Verri

Scoring has just dropped from both in this set from what we saw in the opener. Bit scrappy.

Could well have a third straight break of throw, Dobey has six darts from 182. Visit of 56 isn’t great, though.

MVG responds to leave 40 – Dobey has to take out this 126 you feel.

He’s got a shot at the bull – misses again!

Over to MVG and tops it is at the first time of asking.

Dobey 0-1 Van Gerwen (1-1)

20:07 , Matt Verri

Timely 140 from Dobey, gets him down to 70 with MVG not on a finish.

Single four doesn’t help… gives him only one dart at the bull. Can’t find it.

MVG takes out 84 to punish him and the Dutchman breaks straight back!

Dobey 0-1 Van Gerwen (1-0)

20:05 , Matt Verri

Good from Dobey at the start of this leg, down to 227 after six darts and he’s effectively got the throw.

Grimace from MVG after two more loose darts, Dobey really has to win this leg from here.

D16 for a 12-darter… misses. Van Gerwen gets himself to 100 to put a bit of pressure on Dobey.

But he pins D16 to take the leg.

20:02 , Matt Verri

Dobey averaged 99.61 in that set but he was never in it.

MVG 3/5 on the doubles and an average of almost 104. Really quick start.

He’ll have the darts now in this second set to back that up.

Dobey 0-1 Van Gerwen

19:59 , Matt Verri

174 from MVG to start the leg.

It’s four perfect darts as he follows it up with a T20… boos as the fifth drops low.

He’s left himself on 75, Dobey all the way back on 246 and it looks like the opening set could be wrapped up here.

And it is… tops for Van Gerwen and he lands the first blow in this semi-final.

Dobey 0-0 Van Gerwen (1-2)

19:57 , Matt Verri

Nice settler for Dobey, gets his first 180 of the night. Will be desperate to get a leg on the board, even if it’s not enough for the set.

Not quite so sharp from Van Gerwen, so Dobey will have at least six darts to take out 84.

Tidy enough from Dobey, D4 gets him up and running.

Dobey 0-0 Van Gerwen (0-2)

19:55 , Matt Verri

Another 180 for MVG, he has flown out of the blocks in this semi-final.

Down to 100 after only nine darts… and he needs only two more to wrap up the leg. An 11-darter from the Dutchman.

Dobey 0-0 Van Gerwen (0-1)

19:54 , Matt Verri

Van Gerwen kicks things off with a 180… ominous start!

Backs it up with a 140, the Dobey throw is already under real pressure in this opening leg.

MVG first to a finish, 88. Dobey waiting on 62 if the Dutchman doesn’t take it out.

Van Gerwen misses the bull, so Dobey does have a chance… misses D20.

Back to Van Gerwen and he takes out D8. Early break.

19:52 , Matt Verri

Big smile on Van Gerwen’s face as he waves to the crowd, chants continuing as the players warm-up.

He’s got the crowd on his side for now, if the walk-ons are anything to go by.

Right, time to get up and running. Reminder that it’s first to six sets.

Dobey with the darts in the first set.

19:50 , Matt Verri

Dobey the first to make his walk to the stage. Huge night for him, making his first appearance in a semi-final at the World Championship.

And now all eyes on Van Gerwen and his iconic walk-on.

‘Oh Michael van Gerwen’ chants at full volume…

Stand by!

19:45 , Matt Verri

Right then, we’re just a couple of minutes away from the first semi-final of the night.

Michael van Gerwen the favourite, but Chris Dobey has been superb in the floor events this season and has carried that form into Ally Pally.

Littler doing Littler things…

19:33 , Matt Verri

We’d be here all night if we wanted to list every remarkable thing Luke Littler has done over the past 12 months.

But here’s a quick look at just how incredible his performances at Alexandra Palace have been.

Eight times he has averaged more than 100 in a match – this is only his second year at the tournament!

Van Gerwen back on top?

19:25 , Matt Verri

It’s been six years since Michael van Gerwen was last crowned world champion.

Since then, he’s lost in two finals and two quarter-finals, while in 2022 he withdrew due to Covid.

He’s been close to that fourth world title on more than one occasion – could this be Van Gerwen’s year again?

Bunting is ready!

19:15 , Matt Verri

Just over 15 minutes to go until we get underway at Ally Pally.

Stephen Bunting not on until a bit later, so he’s been using the time to remind everyone of the words to ‘Titanium’.

No excuse for not singing along now…

Bunting overcomes nerves to beat Wright

19:04 , Matt Verri

Stephen Bunting has been a crowd favourite for much of the tournament so far.

Walking out to ‘Titanium’, he has the Ally Pally fans right behind him from the off, though that will be tested tonight against Luke Littler.

Bunting joked he struggled to even get his son’s support for the win over Peter Wright yesterday.

“In the back room I felt really nervous, on edge,” Bunting said.

“Peter Wright is a massive fans’ favourite, a great mate of mine and he’s my son’s favourite player so I feel sorry for my son.”

Can anyone stop Littler?

18:50 , Matt Verri

Luke Littler was the favourite to win the tournament before a dart was thrown, and the early exits of a number of big names have only added to the expectation.

Luke Humphries falling in the fourth round has really boosted Littler’s chances, but he has two big obstacles still in the way.

Stephen Bunting has been in fine form himself, both this tournament and throughout the whole of 2024, while Michael van Gerwen has been showing more and more glimpses of his best and Chris Dobey is full of confidence too.

Van Gerwen pushed all the way

18:40 , Matt Verri

There have been questions for Michael van Gerwen to answer over his form heading into this tournament, but the Dutchman has stepped up when needed.

He was given a real test by Callan Rydz in an epic quarter-final clash yesterday, which Van Gerwen won 5-3. Just the 31 180s thrown.

Rydz won more legs, threw more 180s, had a better checkout percentage and a higher average… still lost!

Littler sends message to Man United

18:31 , Matt Verri

Luke Littler’s preparations for tonight’s semi-final showdown with Stephen Bunting have not been entirely darts related.

The teenager is a Manchester United fan and, with the club languishing in 14th in the table, Littler has called for action.

One particular link that appears to have caught his attention is that of Dani Olmo and his rather unique predicament at Barcelona.

The Spain forward’s future has been thrown into fresh doubt after La Liga giants saw attempts to re-register their summer signing denied by a court last week due to the club’s financial struggles.

This update was shared by journalist Fabrizio Romano on Instagram and Little responded by urging Man Utd to look into signing Olmo on loan for the remainder of the season.

“6 month loan, United” he posted on his Instagram Stories.

Semi-final schedule

18:20 , Matt Verri

First up tonight it’s Michael van Gerwen vs Chris Dobey.

Van Gerwen a three-time world champion but the last of those came in 2019 – it’s been a frustrating wait for him since then. Dobey looking to reach his first final.

That first-to-six match is likely to get underway at around 7:40pm GMT.

Luke Littler and Stephen Bunting will follow after that, with the second semi-final pencilled in for approximately 9pm.

That is of course dependent on the length of Van Gerwen’s clash with Dobey.

How to watch World Darts Championship semi-finals

18:10 , Matt Verri

TV channel: The tournament is being covered live in full on Sky Sports. Tonight’s action is being shown on both Sky Sports Darts and Sky Sports Main Event.

Live stream: Sky Sports subscribers will also be able to watch the semi-finals live online through the Sky Go app.

Live blog: Follow every leg and set right here with us!

Good evening!

18:00 , Matt Verri

Hello and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of the World Darts Championship semi-finals!

The busy end of the tournament at Ally Pally is well and truly here, with only four players still in the hunt to lift the Sid Waddell trophy.

Michael van Gerwen takes on Chris Dobey in the opening semi-final match tonight, before Luke Littler goes up against Stephen Bunting as he tries to reach the final for a second successive year.

We’ll have full coverage of both of those matches right here, with the action set to get underway at around 7:30pm GMT.

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