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Real Madrid beat Villarreal 2-0 to level leaders Barca
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Fede Valverde and Vinicius Junior strikes helped Real Madrid bounce back from their first defeat since January with a 2-0 win over Villarreal on Saturday in La Liga.
Los Blancos lost in the Champions League at Lille but are still unbeaten in the Spanish top flight and moved level with leaders Barcelona before the Catalans visit Alaves on Sunday.
Valverde’s deflected effort and a rocket from Vinicius allowed Madrid to put a four-point gap between them and their third-placed opponents, who battled well but came up fractionally short in the capital.
Madrid’s victory was marred by a late injury to defender Dani Carvajal, who had to be taken off on a stretcher.
Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti started Kylian Mbappe after the French striker had recovered from a thigh problem.
The former Paris Saint-Germain striker could only appear from the bench in Madrid’s disappointing midweek display.
Mbappe, whom France have not selected for upcoming Nations League fixtures, was quiet at the Santiago Bernabeu as his team ground out victory with a determined, rather than inspiring, performance.
The forward sent an early volley off-target from Luka Modric’s corner.
Instead it was midfielder powerhouse Valverde who broke the deadlock after 14 minutes.
The Uruguayan’s drive from distance deflected off Villarreal playmaker Alex Baena and arced beyond the reach of goalkeeper Diego Conde.
The visitors, enjoying a strong start to the season under coach Marcelino Garcia Toral, came close when Nicolas Pepe’s header clipped the top of the crossbar. Then Thierno Barry headed over from close range.
Mbappe had one further chance, bursting into the area with his electric pace, but goalkeeper Conde managed to dispossess him with an outstretched leg.
Villarreal appealed for a penalty early in the second half when Aurelien Tchouameni, playing at centre-back, pulled down Barry, but the French striker was offside.
Baena hit the side-netting of Andriy Lunin’s goal with a free-kick, nearly catching out the Ukrainian goalkeeper standing in for the injured Thibaut Courtois.
Vinicius flashed a shot narrowly wide, before his strike partner Mbappe was replaced with 20 minutes to go by Rodrygo Goes.
Brazil striker Vinicius, who is hoping to win a first Ballon d’Or later in October, netted the second with a superb effort from outside the area, which ripped into the top corner.
In stoppage time, Spanish right-back Carvajal suffered an injury while attempting to clear the ball under pressure from Yeremy Pino.
Earlier nine-man Celta Vigo earned a 1-0 win at bottom of the table Las Palmas.
The Canary Islanders were unable to record their first win of the season even after Ilaix Moriba and Iago Aspas’s red cards for Celta, who climbed to ninth thanks to Borja Iglesias’ goal.
Osasuna moved into fifth with a 1-1 draw at Getafe, while Espanyol beat Mallorca 2-1 and Rayo Vallecano won at Valladolid by the same score.
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.
Co-hosts Mexico kicked off the 2026 World Cup against South Africa in Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca on Thursday.
Mexico’s forward #16 Julian Quinones celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the 2026 World Cup Group A football match between Mexico and South Africa at the Mexico City Stadium in Mexico City on June 11, 2026.
Co-hosts Mexico kicked off the 2026 World Cup against South Africa in Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca on Thursday.
The 29-year-old struck in the ninth minute, his powerful shot going between the legs of the South African goalkeeper Ronwen Williams to send the 80,000 spectators wild.
Mexico’s forward Julian Quinones celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the 2026 World Cup Group A football match between Mexico and South Africa at the Mexico City Stadium in Mexico City on June 11, 2026.
It was the earliest first goal at a World Cup since 2006, when Philipp Lahm netted for Germany against Costa Rica after six minutes.
The South Africa players have been exchanging some short passes, trying to open up the opposition’s defence and hit them swiftly on the break, but the co-hosts have been dominant so far.
South Africa’s forward Iqraam Rayners and Mexico’s defender Johan Vasquez fight for the ball during the 2026 World Cup Group A football match between Mexico and South Africa at the Mexico City Stadium in Mexico City on June 11, 2026.
Before the kickoff, the 80,000-strong crowd was entertained by Nigerian star Burna Boy, Colombian singer Shakira and a host of performers in an opening ceremony.
More to follow…
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