Luke Littler vs Ian White – World Darts Championship: Live score and set-by-set updates as the teenager powers into the last-16 with a 4-1 triumph over the world No 57

There really is nothing like the darts.

Luke Littler may not have been at his all-conquering best tonight but he showed glimpses of just what makes him so special.

And just look at what that victory meant to those in attendance at the Alexandra Palace.

Luke Littler’s victory over Ian White has capped off what has been another exciting day of action in the 2025 Darts World Championship

Ryan Joyce 4-3 Ryan Searle

Scott Williams 1-4 Ricardo Pietreczko

Nathan Aspinall 4-0 Andrew Gilding

Chris Dobey 4-2 Josh Rock

Michael van Gerwen 4-2 Brendan Dolan

Luke Littler 4-1 Ian White

Luke Littler remains in hot pursuit of his first world title, with the 17-year-old phenomenon into the last 16 at Alexandra Palace after overcoming a wasteful Ian White in a 4-1 victory.

Littler averaged 97.84 so did not have to bring his A game to win but admitted afterwards he will need to raise his levels ahead of facing Ryan Joyce next.

‘I watched Ryan’s game,’ Littler said. ‘He was very good. I know I’ve got to him them doubles – 35 per cent is not going to get me anywhere.’

Click below to read Kieran Gill’s report from the Alexandra Palace:

After a hard-fought victory, Luke Littler will face Ryan Joyce in round 4 of the World Championship at the Alexandra Palace.

Joyce is someone who knows a thing or two about hard-fought victories, having gone to a tiebreaker to edge past Ryan Searle earlier today.

The 39-year-old has only once reached the quarter-finals of the competition, where he was defeated by Michael van Gerwen in 2019.

Against the No 4 seed and bookies’ favourite Joyce will no doubt be looking to secure an upset when he takes on Littler on Monday.

The crowd are in good voice now as another 140 moves Littler a step closer to victory.

It’s fair to say tonight hasn’t been quite as emphatic as his win over Ryan Meikle but a lot of that has to be put down to the performance of Ian White.

Littler has 25 to take the match, and he takes it!

The 17-year-old will move on to the last 16 of the World Championship as Ryan Joyce awaits.

Once again the double isn’t where he wants it on the first attempt but Littler gets what he needs and is now just one leg away from victory.

The 17th maximum of the match leaves Littler on 47.

The doubles just haven’t quite been there tonight however, and he fails to find his mark as White takes the leg.

Victory is within Littler’s grasp now.

He was forced to dig himself out of trouble in that fourth set that nearly put them level and now he is within three legs of Round 4.

He starts out with a trebless visit though but White cannot find the darts to put the pressure on early.

Double tops eludes him on the first attempt but he finds the finish on the second to move one step closer.

The fans have well and truly got behind White at the Ally Pally.

This time last year Littler was the loveable underdog but White is assuming that role tonight admirably and really taking the game to his opponent.

The problem is you really cannot afford to make mistakes against a player of Littler’s calibre.

White misses a dart for the set and Littler subsequently finds it to leave himself within one set of victory.

You have to give a hand to Ian White here.

He’s a massive underdog and had been written off by some quarters of the fanbase before this game but he’s absolutely determined to make this a genuine contest.

Double ten is there for the break but he just cannot take it on his first attempt.

Littler fails to make him pay though and White gets it on his second to level the set once more.

An eighth maximum from Littler keeps his momentum moving along nicely here.

White is unable to secure a huge 120 checkout and Littler promptly takes advantage by hitting double 10 to take the leg.

Sensible play from Littler as he forgoes the bullseye to leave himself tops.

The crowd aren’t happy but Littler happy to play along and gets it on his next visit to level the third set.

After something of a slow start there appeared to be an opportunity for White to really make this a contest.

Littler is hitting his stride here, but he misses double tops and White take his opportunity as it presents itself to claim the leg.

Luke Littler was fairly cocky after coming on stage. When the crowd started singing Ian White’s name, he was waving his arms in the air, along to the chant.

But he’s concentrating on the task at hand now after White showed he’s not here to make up the numbers.

Back-to-back 180s to start the leg gets the crowd on its feet.

Neither man can keep their chance at a nine-darter alive though, but Littler is still racing forward here.

Its bull for a finish and Littler takes it!

Littler’s starting to get on a roll here and he sets himself up for a two-dart checkout on 52.

And he’s got it! Back-to-back legs in the bag for the teenager.

After maintaining an astounding average of over 100 throughout much of this year, Littler’s slow start has seen him manage just over 90 this evening.

He gets us underway in the third set, but he is certainly facing a real challenge in the form of the Diamond.

Another 180 for White keeps him in touching distance but Littler leaves himself tops to take the opening leg.

And he gets it at the first time of asking.

Littler is really finally finding his groove now but White is intent on pushing him all the way.

The teenager needs double tops to level the second set but he cant find it.

White finds his mark and we’re all level after two sets!

Littler breaks the throw with a strong showing as he starts to build up some momentum.

But will it be enough to swing the set back in his favour?

Littler opens with a maximum but his average is still below 90 for the match.

Ian White meanwhile is really starting to build momentum as he takes the leg and is now in position to level the game up.

After a short break in the action we’re back underway at the Alexandra Palace.

Ian White gets us started and appears confident despite dropping the first set as he takes the first leg of the second.

Before his big entrance, Littler was stood near me at the side of the stage, and he was singing along to his opponent’s walk-on music.

Signs that he isn’t feeling as much a pressure as he was in his last match.

No prizes for guessing who Ally Pally wants to see win. Everyone in here is singing ‘There’s only one Luke Littler.’

Littler is clearly shaking off some of the cobwebs throughout the early going, the question is can Ian White take advantage to secure this opening set?

White needs 161 but cannot find it leaving Littler 52 for the opening set.

And he takes it! After something of a shaky start Littler is off the mark at the Alexandra Palace.

Ian White’s strong start has got the crowd on his side, and Littler joins in their chants with a little jig on stage.

The 17-year-old follows that up with his first maximum to put himself close.

Littler’s doubles have fallen short of his high standards so far but he finds what he needs to level the opening set.

Littler really hasn’t shown his best in the early going here and White is punishing him for it.

The 54-year-old sets himself for a checkout but cannot find the bull.

Neither can Littler though, and White again fails to find his mark. This is not the standard we have be accustomed to seeing.

White finally finds double one to take the lead.

We have our first maximum of the match and it’s gone to Ian White.

Littler is yet to settle into his groove here and White has a golden opportunity to put himself back on level terms.

And he takes it! Double tops puts him level after two legs.

The sound is defeaning at the Ally Pally as ‘there’s only one Luke Littler’ is belted out in unison but White will be hoping he can silence the pro-Littler faithful.

Littler gets us started with a 92 then follows that up with a ton.

The favourite misses his first chance at a double but White is unable to capitalise and Littler gets it on his second attempt to take the opening leg.

Pitbull’s Green Light blasts through the speakers as the crowd are sent into pandemonium upon the arrival of Luke Littler.

The song featured as the official theme for WrestleMania 33 so its an apt choice for the WWE superfan who is aiming to put on a main-event worthy show here tonight.

Just twelve months after his incredible run to the final on this stage Luke Littler is back in action this evening as he looks to one-up his achievement in 2024.

While the teenager still faces significant tests, including the man facing him tonight, its hard to argue that he isn’t the face of the sport at this point.

Fans have packed out the Ally Pally and they’ll be hoping Littler is in the kind of form he demonstrated against Ryan Meikle last week.

It’s not often that an athlete can claim they’ve taken on their opponent’s grandfather, but such is the case with Ian White ahead of his clash against Luke Littler.

Littler, 17, booked his place in the third round of the World Darts Championship after a victory over Ryan Meikle last Sunday – as he produced a stunning 140.91 average in the final set to win.

In doing so, he set up a clash with White – who beat European champion Ritchie Edhouse in the second round – which will take place on Saturday night.

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Luke Littler’s return is now just minutes away so let’s take a look at what just transpired on the stage, shall we?

Michael van Gerwen has been far from his best this year, and he faltered at times in his clash with Brendan Dolan.

Ultimately though the three-time world champion got it done when it mattered and booked his place in the last 16 after seeing off a comeback from the Northern Irishman.

And welcome to Mail Sport’s coverage of Luke Littler’s third round clash with Ian White at the World Darts Championship.

In his opening match last weekend Littler demonstrated that he is deserving of his status at the bookies’ favourite, recording a record-breaking average in the final set of his win over Ryan Meikle.

Tonight, The Nuke will look to book his place in the last 16 when he faces White, a darts veteran who previously played against Littler’s grandfather.

Stick around, get yourself comfortable and follow along as we bring you all the news and updates in what promises to be an exciting showdown at the Alexandra Palace.