Sports

Mbappe’s Double At Villarreal Takes ‘Exhausted’ Real Madrid Top

Published

1 month ago

March 16, 2025

Kylian Mbappe’s brace helped Real Madrid climb top of La Liga with a 2-1 win at Villarreal on Saturday despite coach Carlo Ancelotti’s complaints that his team was “exhausted”.

Los Blancos moved three points clear of rivals Barcelona, having played two extra games, with the Catalans visiting third place Atletico Madrid on Sunday in a key clash in the Spanish title race.

Madrid were unhappy the game was taking place fewer than 72 hours after their Champions League win on penalties against Atletico on Wednesday.

“The team has something special, character, commitment,” Ancelotti told reporters, insisting Madrid would refuse to play without “72 hours of rest” between matches as recommended by world football governing body FIFA.

However despite their complaints they had enough in the tank to beat their opponents, fifth, at the Estadio de la Ceramica.

“We kept going on a physical level, above all in the second half, the team ended up exhausted, but that was to be expected,” said Ancelotti.

“It’s a win that says a lot about this team and the ability this squad has.”

Ancelotti began with Vinicius Junior on the bench after the draining victory against Atletico in the last 16.

Villarreal started strongly and Thibaut Courtois got down well to his right to tip Ayoze Perez’s shot around the post.

From the resulting corner, Villarreal took the lead, with the ball rebounding to Juan Foyth, who smashed home from close range.

Ancelotti’s side hit back quickly, with Mbappe levelling after 17 minutes.

Brahim Diaz’s attempted lob was saved by Diego Conde, but the French striker dispatched the rebound with minimal fuss.

Soon Mbappe had his second, helping to spread the ball to the right and then finishing with aplomb after Lucas Vazquez found him in the middle of the box.

It was Mbappe’s 20th league goal of the season, putting him one behind the top scorer, Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski.

Content with their lead Madrid soaked up Villarreal pressure in the rest of the first half, with Courtois saving well from Nicolas Pepe.

Villarreal coach Marcelino Garcia Toral sent on Thierno Barry for Pepe at the break, as the Yellow Submarine looked to avoid a first home defeat in La Liga by Madrid since 2017.

Foyth might have levelled early in the second half but volleyed over the bar when well placed.

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Sports

Ex-Manchester United midfielder, Thompson is dead

Published

11 hours ago

April 18, 2025

The Pledge

Joe Thompson, a former Manchester United’s academy midfielder, is dead at the age of 36.

His former club Rochdale said it was “devastated” to learn of his death on Friday.

Rochdale, in its statement disclosed that the their former midfielder died on Thursday “peacefully at home with his family by his side”.

Thompson made over 200 appearances for Rochdale, who he joined from Manchester United’s academy backed in 2005.

The club posted a tribute on X, describing their former midfielder as “a warm personality who had a deep connection with our club from a young age”.

Thompson retired from professional football in 2019. He was diagnosed with cancer for a third time in 2024.

He represented clubs like Southport, Carlisle United, Bury, Tranmere Rovers and Wrexham before his death.

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Sports

Europa League: Mainoo’s mother in tears after Man Utd eliminated Lyon to qualify for semis

Published

11 hours ago

April 18, 2025

The Pledge

The mother to Manchester United midfielder, Kobbie Mainoo, was in tears after the player scored a 120th minute equaliser against Lyon in the Europa League on Thursday night.

Mainoo came on to replace Rasmus Hojlund in the 87th minute of the game.

And it proved to a tactical masterclass from Ruben Amorim, as he grabbed the equaliser in the 120th minute.

Mainoo’s goal came a minute before Harry Maguire won it for the Red Devils to book their semi-final spot.

As Mainoo scored his first goal since returning from a long injury lay-off, his mother could not control her emotions at full-time.

She told the Manchester Evening News while shedding tears, “I can’t believe it!”.

The teenager returned to action for United last Sunday against Newcastle United. He will turn 20 on April 19.

United returned to winning ways for the first time since their 3-0 triumph over Leicester City in the Premier League on March 17.

They will now aim to build on the historic comeback and hope to end a miserable 2024-25 campaign on a high.

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Sports

Onuachu doubtful for Southampton clash with West Ham

Published

14 hours ago

April 18, 2025

The Pledge

Paul Onuachu is a major doubt for Southampton’s Premier League clash with West Ham United.

The Saints will be up against West Ham United at the London Stadium on Saturday.

Onuachu sustained an ankle injury in Southampton’s home defeat to Aston Villa last weekend.

The 30-year-old was replaced by Tyler Dibling after the break.

Interim manager Simon Rusk provided an update on the forward’s fitness ahead of the clash with West Ham.

“He’s back in and around it the last day or two, so it might be a bit 50-50 at this point, so it’s one to assess tomorrow and give us a bit more time to see where he’s at. We’re hopeful but it’s not conclusive,” Rusk told the club’s official website.

The forward has scored four goals in 22 league appearances for the Saints this season.