Sports
Mbappe On The Mark As Real Madrid Sink Alaves
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Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior scored as Real Madrid beat Alaves 2-1 on Tuesday to cling on to their slim hopes of catching Barcelona in La Liga.
Mbappe struck his league-leading 24th goal, but first since early February, with a deflected shot on the half hour at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Vinicius lashed in a second from distance early in the second half, which proved crucial as Alaves pulled a goal back in stoppage time through Toni Martinez.
The victory ended a two-match winless run in La Liga for Madrid and moved them back to within six points of leaders Barcelona, who host Celta Vigo on Wednesday.
“We have six matches coming up, the next one in three days. The aim is to win those matches – that’s the goal we’ve set ourselves as a team,” said Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa, whose position is under increasing scrutiny.
“I don’t care much about what’s at stake for me personally. What matters to me is what’s at stake for Real Madrid.”
Madrid are staring down the barrel of a second consecutive season without a major trophy following last week’s Champions League quarter-final exit at the hands of Bayern Munich.
Mbappe scored in both legs of that 6-4 aggregate defeat but a barren patch in La Liga, in part because of a knee injury, coincided with arch-rivals Barcelona streaking clear at the top.
Madrid faced early pressure from relegation-threatened Alaves, who were unbeaten in four matches.
Angel Perez broke in behind the home defence before strangely opting to pass instead of shooting with just Andriy Lunin blocking his path to goal. Martinez then tested the Real ‘keeper after finding a pocket of space.
Mbappe put Madrid ahead when his effort from just outside the box clipped a defender and wrong-footed Antonio Sivera.
The France captain then had an attempt beaten away by Sivera and Eder Militao clipped the crossbar, injuring himself in the process and having to go off before the break.
Martinez nearly levelled for Alaves when he poked a cross against the post, with his follow-up strike clawed out by Lunin.
Vinicius hammered in from 25 yards to give Madrid breathing space, and Brahim Diaz was denied by a brilliant headed clearance off the goalline.
Alaves continued to toil away as Victor Parada’s diving header hit the upright. Martinez netted a consolation with an inventive flick in stoppage time before loud jeers greeted the final whistle in Madrid.
Elsewhere, Real Betis came from behind to triumph 3-2 at Girona as Rodrigo Riquelme bagged the winner 10 minutes from time.
Gorka Guruzeta’s first-half goal lifted Athletic Bilbao to a 1-0 home win over Osasuna, while Mallorca and Valencia drew 1-1.
By Ojomah Austin.
Paris Saint-Germain forward, Bradley Barcola, has handed in a transfer request after interest from Arsenal and Liverpool.
The French international was a regular for PSG last season.
The 23-year-old scored 13 goals in all competitions as he won the UEFA Champions League and the Ligue 1 with the Parisians.
However, Barcola was dropped for the Champions League final against Arsenal as Desire Doue, Ousmane Dembele and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia started ahead of him in attack.
According to talkSPORT Barcola had asked to leave PSG following interest from the Premier League duo.
He normally normally plays on PSG’s left flank, and that is the same area Arsenal are looking to strengthen in the transfer window.
It’s yet to be seen if Barcola will end up joining the Premier League champions in the coming season.
Arsenal are exploring a deal to sign winger Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge.
According to The Athletic, a move for Tzolis would not impact the Gunners’ interest in Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers or an alternative target.
The club’s sporting director, Andrea Bertea, continues to work in the market to strengthen their attack.
Sources believe a deal for Tzolis could be possible for around €40million.
The 24-year-old scored 43 goals for Club Brugge across two seasons, having found the net 23 times for Fortuna Dusseldorf in 2. Bundesliga in 2023-24.
Arsenal are looking to bring in a new left winger, and have inquired about Juventus’ 21-year-old Turkey international Kenan Yildiz.
Ghana have suffered a major setback ahead of their opening match at the 2026 World Cup after midfielder Thomas Partey was reportedly denied entry into Canada.
Partey will be unavailable to play in Ghana opening match against Panama in Canada on June 17, access denied.
The Black Stars are scheduled to face Panama on Wednesday in their first Group game at the BMO Field in Toronto.
However, Partey will not be available for the encounter after being unable to travel to Canada, according to The Athletic.
The development comes as a major blow to Ghana’s preparations, with the former Arsenal midfielder expected to play a key role in the team’s campaign.
Partey’s absence means Ghana will have to make changes to its midfield plans for the match against Panama.
The reason for the entry denial was not officially stated by Ghanaian football authorities, but the Canadian government website states that “if you have committed or been convicted of a crime, you may not be allowed into Canada.”
Partey was recently charged with sexual assault, but he is awaiting trial and has not been convicted.
The former Arsenal star has denied the charges.
His unavailability leaves Ghana without one of their most experienced players as they begin their World Cup campaign in Toronto.
Ghana will be hoping to begin their campaign on a strong note despite Partey’s absence.
The Black Stars are among the African teams expected to make an impact at the tournament, but the latest development has added pressure on the coaching crew ahead of the opener.
The team will now have to rely on other midfield options to fill the gap left by Partey as they seek victory against Panama.
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