CORNELLÀ DE LLOBREGAT, Spain: A stunning Lamine Yamal strike helped crown Barcelona La Liga champions with a 2-0 win at local rivals Espanyol on Thursday, with victory ensuring Real Madrid cannot catch them at the top of the table.
Yamal’s effort and Fermin Lopez’s goal took Hansi Flick’s side seven points clear of Los Blancos with two matches remaining, to clinch Barcelona’s 28th title and complete a superb domestic treble.
Only the Champions League escaped an exciting young Barca side this season, as they won the league for the second time in six years, at Espanyol’s ground again just as in 2023.
Back then, celebrating Barca players were chased from the field by angry home supporters but this time Espanyol turned on the sprinklers to soak the jubilant visitors, who headed down the tunnel quickly.
Yamal opened the scoring after 53 minutes of a tense derby clash with a brilliant curling effort, before Lopez added another in the 95th minute to secure victory.
Outside the stadium before the match several Espanyol fans were hit by a car which drove into a big crowd, although none were seriously injured and police said it appeared to be an accident.
Barcelona were seconds away from sealing their title triumph on Wednesday but Real Madrid snatched a 95th-minute winner against Mallorca to delay the inevitable.
Flick’s side started slowly in Cornella, with Espanyol, 16th, looking dangerous on the counter-attack and keen to secure their top-flight survival.
Wojciech Szczesny made a fine save to deny Javi Puado who broke through on goal in Espanyol’s best chance of the opening period.
Barca dominated the ball but failed to create any clear opportunities themselves in the first half.
The Catalan giants have often blown teams away this season, approaching a century of goals in La Liga, but with the title on the line and a hostile crowd against them, they needed something special to break through.
That came from 17-year-old wing wizard Yamal, who zipped inside off the right flank and unleashed a rocket into the top corner from outside the box, in a replica of his goal for Spain against France in the Euro 2024 semifinals.
It was the teenager’s eighth La Liga strike of the season but with goals in both matches against rivals Real and also in the visit to face Atletico Madrid, he has a penchant for the big occasion.
Barca’s superb display in Sunday’s Clasico, in which they beat their rivals 4-3 in a thrilling battle, effectively won them the title.
They still had to get it over the line against their neighbors, though, and that became easier when Leandro Cabrera was sent off for an elbow into Yamal’s stomach.
Even though they had a player fewer, Espanyol pressured Barcelona heavily until Lopez drilled past Joan Garcia to end the hosts’ resistance.
Yamal pearl seals Barcelona La Liga title triumph at Espanyol
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Yamal pearl seals Barcelona La Liga title triumph at Espanyol
Saudi Arabia and Qatar gain home advantage in next Asia qualifiers for 2026 World Cup
- Qatar will host Group A that also contains the United Arab Emirates and Oman, Saudi Arabia welcomes Iraq and Indonesia into Group B
KUALA LUMPUR : Saudi Arabia and Qatar drew home advantage in the fourth round of Asia qualifying for the 2026 World Cup on Thursday.
In October, Qatar will host Group A that also contains the United Arab Emirates and Oman. Saudi Arabia welcomes Iraq and Indonesia into Group B.
The winner of each round-robin group will take Asia’s last two remaining automatic spots at next summer’s tournament, to be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The teams that finish second will then meet, with the winner progressing to inter-confederation playoffs, which are scheduled for March 2026.
Six teams from Asia secured qualification last month: Japan, Iran, South Korea and Australia have all participated numerous times, while Jordan and Uzbekistan will make their first appearance.
DP World ILT20 gives season 3 merchandise a new home via Gulf for Good Partnership in Madagascar
- ‘As the biggest cricket league of the region we remain committed to making an impact beyond the field of play,’ says DP World ILT20 CEO David White
- The DP World International League T20 season 4 begins on Tuesday, Dec. 2, which is UAE National Day
DUBAI: The DP World International League T20 has teamed up with UAE-based, non-profit organization Gulf for Good to support charity projects for children globally, and give the tournament’s season three merchandise a new lease on life.
Through the Gulf for Good’s Outreach Program, the DP World ILT20 has donated more than 500 items for children in Madagascar as part of a wider mission to support education and community development.
The program will continue for the remainder of the year and is expected to benefit more than 2,000 children.
DP World ILT20 CEO David White said recently: “This collaboration with Gulf for Good reflects our belief in the power of play.
“This initiative is all about making a small contribution to a much bigger cause. At the DP World ILT20 we are committed to making an impact and improving lives wherever possible.
“We are proud to have the UAE as our home; the UAE is globally recognized as one of the most generous and hospitable nations in the world.
“As the biggest cricket league of the region we remain committed to making an impact beyond the field of play.”
The DP World International League T20 season four will begin on Tuesday, Dec. 2, which is also UAE National Day.
The six-team, 34-match tournament concludes with the final on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026.
Dwayne Bacon to join Dubai Basketball from Zenit Saint Petersburg
- The American forward’s deal ahead of the new EuroLeague season is subject to a medical check
DUBAI: Dubai Basketball has added another major player to its roster with the signing of American forward Dwayne Bacon, subject to medical clearance, on a deal that runs through the 2026 season.
The 1.98-meter scorer arrives from Zenit Saint Petersburg, where he averaged 16.3 points and 3.6 rebounds per game last season, cementing his reputation as one of Europe’s most versatile offensive players.
Bacon has already showcased his talents over two EuroLeague campaigns.
The first was with AS Monaco in the 2021-22 season, where he averaged 14 points per game, and then with Panathinaikos the following year, lifting his average to 16.6 points per game in Greece.
Before starring in Russia, Bacon also took his game beyond European borders, suiting up for the Shanghai Sharks in China and Leones de Ponce in Puerto Rico during the 2023-24 season.
The 29-year-old began his career at Florida State University before being drafted by the Charlotte Hornets. Over three NBA seasons (2017–2020), Bacon made 135 appearances.
He later joined the Orlando Magic for the 2020-21 campaign, playing 72 games and averaging 11.3 points. He also gained development time in the G League with the Greensboro Swarm.
Now set to join Head Coach Jurica Golemac’s side, Bacon brings scoring punch, veteran savvy, and big-game experience as Dubai Basketball continues to build a squad for their first EuroLeague season.
Messi’s multi-goal streak ends in Inter Miami’s 3-0 loss to FC Cincinnati
- Cincinnati got a first-half goal from Gerardo Valenzuela and two second-half strikes from Evander to remain one point behind the Philadelphia Union in the Eastern Conference standings
- Messi is the first player in MLS history to have a multi-goal streak of more than four matches
CINCINNATI: Lionel Messi’s MLS-record streak of scoring multiple goals in five straight matches ended on Wednesday night in Inter Miami’s 3-0 loss to FC Cincinnati.
Cincinnati got a first-half goal from Gerardo Valenzuela and two second-half strikes from Evander to remain one point behind the Philadelphia Union in the Eastern Conference standings. Philadelphia beat CF Montreal 2-1 on Wednesday night.
The loss ended a five-match winning streak for Inter Miami (11-4-5) which is fifth in the Eastern Conference standings.
“Very pleased with the performance,” Cincinnati head coach Pat Noonan said. “Our guys were up for it.”
Messi is the first player in MLS history to have a multi-goal streak of more than four matches. He is second in the league with 16 goals.
Messi has only played in three matches against Cincinnati since coming to MLS, but the team has made things difficult for the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner.
Cincinnati had four shots on target in the first 16 minutes to none for Inter Miami, and took a 1-0 lead when Valenzuela angled a shot from the left side of the box for his fifth goal of the season.
Messi’s first shot came in the final minute of first-half stoppage time and landed comfortably in the arms of keeper Roman Celentano.
Evander’s 14th goal of the season, and 50th in MLS, put Cincinnati ahead 2-0 less than five minutes into the second half.
Cincinnati (14-3-6) also had a two-goal lead on Saturday against Columbus but lost 4-2 to the Crew.
Cincinnati held on this time by neutralizing Inter Miami’s attack, led by Messi.
“From the beginning they pressured us,” Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano said, via a translator. “It does worry me that they were better beginning to end. We have to rest and look forward to Saturday.”
Evander sealed the victory when he made it 3-0 with a goal off a rebound when Luca Orellano’s shot caromed off the keeper.
Messi had a chance in the 78th minute, but his close-range shot was saved by a diving Celentano.
The 38-year-old Messi has played 90-plus minutes in eight straight games, including four Club World Cup matches. At one point in the second half, he had covered the least amount of distance of any player.
Cincinnati played without second-leading scorer Kevin Denkey due to a leg injury.
“Obviously a tough game,” Miami midfielder Yannick Bright said. “The feeling was that it was not our day. We were on the road. It’s tough, against a good opponent. They deserved the result that they got.”
Up next
Cincinnati visits Real Salt Lake and Inter Miami is at the New York Red Bulls on Saturday night.
Abrahamsen wins Tour de France stage as Pogacar survives scare
- Pogacar fell after hitting the back wheel of another rider but his rivals Vingegaard and Evenepoel sportingly waited for him to catch up
- Healy retained the overall lead on his first day in the fabled yellow jersey, while Pogacar remains second at 29sec and Evenepoel third
TOULOUSE, France: Norway’s Jonas Abrahamsen won stage 11 of the Tour de France in Toulouse on Wednesday while defending champion Tadej Pogacar emerged largely unscathed despite crashing 4km from the line.
Pogacar fell after hitting the back wheel of another rider but his rivals Jonas Vingegaard and Remco Evenepoel sportingly waited for the Slovenian to catch up after he got back on his bike. Ireland’s Ben Healy retained the leader’s jersey.
Pogacar sheepishly laughed off the tumble.
“I’m a bit beaten up, I’ve been through worse days, but yeah that was unexpected,” he said.
He was also swift to thank his rivals.
“Big respect,” he said of the gesture. “The race was nearly over but I doubt I would have been able to catch up.”
Pogacar said he had feared the worst when another rider rode across the front of him.
“He completely cut me off. I saw my head going toward the sidewalk and I was worried I’d get hurt. Luckily I’ve just lost some skin,” said the three-time champion.
Norway’s Tobias Johannessen was the rider in question and apologized for the incident.
“I am terribly sorry for what happened,” he wrote on X.
“I was trying to follow a move and I can see that I was too close,” he added. “I made a mistake... I hope he is as good as he can be after a crash like that.”
Pogacar said he felt the fall would hurt him on Thursday’s mountain stage.
“We are ready as a team for Hautacam,” he said of the main obstacle on stage 12. “But a day after a fall like that you are never at your best.”
Healy was next to Pogacar when he fell and narrowly missed coming down with him.
“I didn’t see him fall. I’ll be honest I was looking somewhere else. That’s possibly what happened to him,” said the 24-year-old Healy, who took the lead at the end of stage 10 in the Massif Central.
Healy retained the overall lead on his first day in the fabled yellow jersey, while Pogacar remains second at 29sec and Evenepoel third, another minute off the pace.
The peloton next heads into the Pyrenees where the first real mountains will test their legs on the legendary Hautacam climb.
“I’m not sure I’ll still have the lead tomorrow night,” said Healy. “It’s a large task but I’ll fight all the way. Either way this has been a real whirlwind for me.”
Anyone who expected a quiet day was instead treated to a thrilling stage over 156.8km from Toulouse and back, which was unexpectedly won by Abrahamsen.
Abrahamsen also won the combativity award as he was at the origin of the long-range breakaway that foiled the ambitions of the sprinters.
Abrahamsen then contested a cat-and-mouse duel down the home straight with Swiss Mauro Schmid as the cunning Mathieu van der Poel crept up on them and finished third at 7sec.
The Norwegian fractured a collarbone two weeks before the Tour.
“Thanks to the team who did everything to get me ready in time,” said the Uno-X rider. “They are very good people and I’ve been here since 2017.
“I like to have pain in my legs, I’ve been like this since I was 15,” said Abrahamsen.
Following Tuesday’s rest day, Wednesday’s run was billed as a likely sprint finish with 70 points at stake in the sprint standings in Toulouse.
The stage did however feature five small climbs along the route making sure it was constantly fast and nerve-wracking.
When Pogacar fell late on he struggled to put his chain on after sliding across several meters of tarmac, and it looked initially as if he would lose 30 to 40 seconds.
Diminutive French climber Lenny Martinez is in the king of the mountains polka dot jersey as the race heads into the Pyrenees and will be the focus for home fans all weekend with further blockbuster crowds expected.
