Vinicius Junior on Sunday earned Real Madrid a 1-0 win at Sevilla in La Liga in the penultimate round of fixtures, but results elsewhere mean the hosts have secured safety from relegation.
Levante UD earned a vital 2-0 win over RCD Mallorca, who are 19th and in grave danger, along with Girona, 18th after a 1-0 defeat at Atletico Madrid.
Raphinha struck twice for champions Barcelona in a 3-1 victory over Real Betis Balompie at the Camp Nou, meaning the Catalans have won all of their home matches this season in the top flight.
Photo: AFP
Their rivals Real Madrid will finish without a major trophy for the second season running, but produced a focused display to beat Sevilla.
After Kylian Mbappe complained midweek he had been told by coach Alvaro Arbeloa he was Madrid’s “fourth forward” after he came on as a substitute against Real Oviedo, the French superstar started against Sevilla.
Mbappe teed up his strike partner Vinicius to send Madrid ahead in Andalusia, bringing down a cross which the Brazilian powered home.
Vinicius returned the favor in the second half, but Mbappe blazed over the bar.
Franco Mastantuono hit the post for the visitors from outside the penalty area as Madrid sought a second goal. Mbappe rounded the goalkeeper and slid home, but was offside and the goal was disallowed.
“Today it was Vini’s turn to score, but Kylian did a great job — let’s see if he has better luck next weekend,” Arbeloa said. “I’m very satisfied with all my players, with their effort. We’re aware that we haven’t met our objectives [this season].”
In the capital, Atletico’s Antoine Griezmann started against Girona in his final match at the Metropolitano before joining MLS side Orlando City.
The French forward, Atletico’s all-time top goalscorer, arrived for the match visibly emotional.
Playing for the 500th time in Atletico colors, Griezmann set up Ademola Lookman for the game’s only goal.
“I always have to say goodbye to people I love. Now my brother is leaving. Atletico Madrid’s all-time top scorer... Thank you for making us happy every day,” Atletico captain Koke said. “In the tough times, its always Antoine who appears and puts a smile on our faces.”
Griezmann’s former club Barca also bid farewell to veteran Polish striker Robert Lewandowski in his final home game.
Lewandowski, who has won three league titles in four seasons with the club, could not get a goal in his final game at the Camp Nou. Instead, Raphinha opened the scoring with a free-kick and then slotted home a second.
Isco pulled one back from the penalty spot, but Joao Cancelo restored Barca’s lead with a placed effort from outside the penalty area.
“When I arrived in Barcelona I knew that this club was big, however, thanks to your love it has been incredible,” Lewandowski said. “Today I say goodbye to the stadium, but I will always carry Barcelona in my heart.”
Espanyol ensured their safety by beating Osasuna 2-1 to record a second consecutive victory, after an astonishing 18-match run without a win.
Deportivo Alaves also secured their top-flight status with a 1-0 win over already-relegated Real Oviedo.
Levante’s crucial victory over Mallorca allowed them to rise up to 15th and leave the islanders in the relegation zone.
Carlos Espi’s first-half goal divided the teams, who were both reduced to 10 men.
Kervin Arriaga headed home Levante’s second from a corner to secure the points and give his side a good chance of beating the drop.
Mallorca face Oviedo in their final match, but even with a win, would be left relying on results elsewhere going their way to survive.
Elche, 17th, defeated Getafe 1-0 to boost their hopes of avoiding relegation. They face Girona on the final day of the season in a potentially decisive clash.
Valencia edged Real Sociedad 4-3 in a thrilling battle to rise up to ninth, while RC Celta de Vigo guaranteed they will play in Europe next season with a 1-1 draw at Athletic Bilbao.
Rayo Vallecano fans gave veteran midfielder Oscar Trejo a fond farewell in his final appearance at their Vallecas as they beat third-placed Villarreal 2-0.
Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke, 29, has died, the NBA team said in a statement on Tuesday, while the family of Jason Collins, the first openly gay man to play in a major US pro sports league, announced the former Grizzlies and Brooklyn Nets player had died after a battle with brain cancer. “We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of Brandon Clarke,” the Grizzlies said in a statement posted on social media. “Brandon was an outstanding teammate and an even better person whose impact on the organization and the greater Memphis community will not be forgotten.” The statement did not provide
Mathys Tel was hero and villain as Tottenham drew 1-1 at home to Leeds United on Monday — a result that leaves their English Premier League future hanging in the balance. The Frenchman broke the deadlock early in the second half to ease the tension at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, but then gave away a penalty with a reckless attempted clearance. In the dying minutes, Spurs were grateful to Antonin Kinsky, who produced an astonishing save to deny the visitors a win. Tottenham are now two points clear of 18th-placed West Ham United with just two games left this season. The
‘DONE IT ALL’: LeBron James is now out of contract with the Lakers and would head into the off season as a free agent with uncertainty swirling around his future LeBron James on Monday said he would take time to consider his future after the Los Angeles Lakers were swept out of the NBA playoffs by the Oklahoma City Thunder in what could turn out to be the final game of his career. James, 41, delivered a typically defiant performance with 24 points and 12 rebounds, but it was not enough to prevent the Lakers from falling 115-110 as the Thunder completed a 4-0 sweep in the Western Conference semi-finals series. The four-time NBA champion is now out of contract with the Lakers and would head into the off season
FRUSTRATION: Gauff smacked herself on the head with her racket before storming down the tunnel, emerging afterward to have a heated discussion with her coach Elina Svitolina on Saturday won the Italian Open after beating Coco Gauff 6-4, 6-7 (3/7), 6-2 to claim her third Rome title, while Jannik Sinner set a date with Casper Ruud in the men’s final. Ukraine’s Svitolina had not claimed a WTA 1000 title since her last victory at the Foro Italico eight years ago, but prevailed over the ever-erratic Gauff to claim her 20th tournament triumph. Saturday’s win over Gauff was her third in a row against a player in the top four of the world rankings — including Iga Swiatek and Elena Rybakina — ahead of the French
RSS