MADRID: Villarreal dampened Barcelona’s title celebrations by handing the Catalan club its first defeat of 2025 in the Spanish league on Sunday.
Barcelona, which clinched its 28th league title midweek, presented the trophy to its fans in the team’s final home match of the season at Montjuic stadium. Players were announced one by one after the game, which Villarreal won 3-2, before lifting the trophy.
Barcelona’s Spanish Super Cup and Copa del Rey trophies also were displayed at Montjuic, with players dancing around the silverware during the celebrations.
“We can be proud of this team for winning these titles and for how it did it,” Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen said. “We had a great season in all levels.”
Before the match, Villarreal players did a guard of honor for the new league champions, with its players lining up to congratulate Barcelona as the team entered the field.
Real Madrid won 2-0 at nine-man Sevilla, with Kylian Mbappé extending his league-leading tally to 29 goals with one round to go. Jude Bellingham also scored. Madrid reached 81 points, four fewer than Barcelona.
Villarreal’s victory secured its return to the Champions League for the first time since reaching the semifinals in 2022.
It will join Barcelona, Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Athletic Bilbao in Europe’s top club competition next season. Spain will have five clubs in the Champions League next season.
Real Betis clinched one of the Europa League spots. Celta Vigo, Rayo Vallecano and Osasuna will be chasing the final Europa League place and the Conference League spot.
Leganes, owned by former Houston Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow, and Espanyol will try to avoid the last relegation spot in the final round when Leganes is at last-placed Valladolid and Espanyol faces relegated Las Palmas.
Barcelona, Madrid, Atletico and Athletic will play in next year’s lucrative Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia.
All 10 games were played at the same time on Sunday.
Barcelona’s loss
Barcelona hadn’t lost in the league since a 2-1 defeat against Atletico on Dec. 21, with 15 wins and two draws since then. Villarreal’s win was its fifth straight victory in the league.
Ayoze Pérez put the visitors ahead after a breakaway four minutes into the match. The hosts equalized when Lamine Yamal scored with yet another beautiful goal in the teenager’s outstanding season, curling in a left-footed shot from outside the area.
Fermín López put Barcelona ahead in first-half stoppage time, but Santiago Comesaña scored for Villarreal in the 50th and Tajon Buchanan netted the winner in the 80th.
It was likely the last match Barcelona played at Montjuic stadium as the club plans to return to the Camp Nou Stadium next season even though renovation work at the venue is not expected to be fully completed until mid-2026.
Mbappé’s goals
Mbappé strengthened his chances of finishing as the league’s top scorer this season with a goal from a low shot from outside the area in the 75th.
Mbappé now has 29 league goals. Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski (25 goals) is his nearest rival.
Sevilla’s Loic Bade was sent off in the 12th for a foul on Mbappé to stop a breakaway. Then Isaac Romero was shown a red card for a hard foul on Aurélien Tchouaméni.
It was the second-to-last match for Madrid under Carlo Ancelotti before he becomes Brazil coach. Xabi Alonso is widely expected to be Madrid’s next coach.
Sevilla, sitting in 16th place, had only one win in its last 10 games.
Relegation fight
Leganes kept its survival hopes alive by winning 1-0 at Las Palmas with a sixth-minute goal by Dani Raba.
It is two points behind the first team outside the relegation zone, Espanyol, which remained in danger after a 2-0 loss at Osasuna for its fifth straight defeat.
Alaves escaped the drop by winning 1-0 at Valladolid, while Getafe did the same by beating Mallorca 2-1 to end a six-game losing run.
Second-to-last Las Palmas and bottom side Valladolid had already been relegated.
European places
Celta Vigo lost 2-1 at home to Rayo Vallecano but holds the final Europa League spot in seventh place. It is one point ahead of both eighth-placed Rayo — in the Conference League position — and ninth-placed Osasuna.
Rayo will host Mallorca in the final round, while Osasuna visits Alaves and Celta is at Getafe.
Spanish Super Cup
The top two teams in the league and the Copa del Rey finalists are awarded places in the Spanish Super Cup. Since this season’s final was between Barcelona and Madrid, two other spots were made available through the league.
Third-placed Atletico guaranteed its spot with a 4-1 win over Betis with Julián Álvarez scoring twice, including with a superb curling free kick in the first half. Fourth-placed Athletic Bilbao won 1-0 at Valencia with a goal by Álex Berenguer.
Alguacil honored
Real Sociedad honored coach Imanol Alguacil in its final home match, a 3-2 win against Girona.
Alguacil will step down this summer after a mostly successful six-and-a-half-year stint in charge of the Basque Country club.
Villarreal dampens Barcelona’s title celebrations. Mbappé scores again for Madrid
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Villarreal dampens Barcelona’s title celebrations. Mbappé scores again for Madrid
- Villarreal’s victory secured its return to the Champions League for the first time since reaching the semifinals in 2022
Ten-woman Brazil survive Colombia challenge in Copa goalless draw
- Brazil’s goalkeeper Lorena was shown a red card in the 21st minute after handling the ball outside the penalty area
- Despite enjoying a numerical advantage, Colombia were unable to break the deadlock
Brazil’s goalkeeper Lorena was shown a red card in the 21st minute after handling the ball outside the penalty area in a bid to stop Linda Caicedo’s shot during a rapid Colombian counterattack.
After consulting with assistant referee Mariana Aquino, referee Milagros Arruela dismissed Lorena, forcing Brazil to rely on substitute goalkeeper Claudia for the rest of the match.
Despite enjoying a numerical advantage, Colombia were unable to break the deadlock, with attempts from Valerin Loboa and Mayra Ramirez failing to find the back of the net.
“Today was a very tough game, very exhausting, and we wanted to win, but now we have to keep working hard for what’s coming,” Loboa said after the match.
Brazil stood firm in defense, and in the second half they tried to take the lead with attempts from Yasmim, Gabi Portilho and Dudinha, but they were all unsuccessful. They came closest with a free kick from Yasmim in added time that hit the crossbar.
“We knew it would be a very difficult game, but we’re very proud of this result with one player less. Now it’s time to rest and think about the semifinal,” Portilho said.
Both teams were already through to the semifinals, and Group B leaders Brazil will face Uruguay on Tuesday. Meanwhile, runners-up Colombia, with eight points, will take on Group A leaders Argentina on Monday.
Esports World Cup launches new social media channel
- EWC_Extra is dedicated to real-time match coverage, community moments and behind-the-scenes content
RIYADH: As the 2025 Esports World Cup continues in Riyadh, the Esports World Cup Foundation has launched EWC_Extra, a dedicated social channel on X and Instagram focused on real-time coverage, community reactions and key moments from inside the arena.
Built for the community across EWC’s 25 tournaments, EWC_Extra features play-by-play content from tournament upsets and Most Valued Player performances to memes, creator posts and behind-the-scenes access.
In tandem with the main EWC channel, it forms a two-part content ecosystem to reflect the scale of the world’s biggest esports event. While the main channel delivers human stories and cultural context, EWC_Extra stays focused on the tournament action itself.
Running until Aug. 24, Esports World Cup 2025 brings together 2,000 players and 200 clubs competing in 25 tournaments across 24 games for a record-breaking prize pool of $70+ million prize pool. Backed by football legend Cristiano Ronaldo and chess grandmaster Magnus Carlsen, it is being broadcast in 140 countries.
Two weeks in, eight champions have been crowned so far.
Gen.G continued their winning streak to take the League of Legends title, Heretics won VALORANT in a dramatic reverse sweep, VK claimed Apex Legends with a final-game victory, and Redline defended their Rennsport title.
GO1 delivered a shock win over favorite Xiao Hai in Fatal Fury, while Team Spirit dropped just one game on their way to the Dota 2 crown. Team Vitality were unbeaten to take the MLBB Women’s Invitational and EVOS Esports triumphed in Free Fire, with 15-year-old wonderkid Rasyah securing the tournament’s MVP award.
Messi and Alba suspended for one match for missing MLS All-Star
- Messi and Alba did not compete on Wednesday despite not being injured
- The suspension will see them miss Inter Miami’s match against FC Cincinnati
NEW YORK: Lionel Messi has been suspended for one game after sitting out the MLS All-Star Game without prior approval, the league said on Friday.
The Inter Miami forward and his teammate, Jordi Alba, did not compete on Wednesday despite not being injured, even though they were included in the All-Star roster.
“Per league rules, any player who does not participate in the All-Star Game without prior approval from the league is ineligible to compete in their club’s next match,” MLS said in a statement.
The suspension will see them miss Inter Miami’s match against FC Cincinnati on Saturday. Messi has scored 18 goals so far this season.
Messi rested this week, according to Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano.
“Look, players always have discomfort, especially when they play every three days,” Mascherano was quoted as saying by ESPN.
‘Incredible’: Ben Sulayem says F1’s future has never looked more exciting
- As 2025 season heads for Belgian Grand Prix, FIA president sees bright new era as today’s stars pave way for next generation
DUBAI: Mohammed Ben Sulayem, president of the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile, believes the future of Formula 1 has never looked more exciting as the 2025 season heads for this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix.
With the current season delivering some of the best action seen in recent years, and with plenty more still to come, Ben Sulayem feels the arrival next year of a new team, a new venue and new regulations will reinforce the championship’s global appeal.
“As we reach the mid-point of the 2025 calendar, we are already looking towards next season with a great deal of excitement and expectation,” the FIA president said in a press release. “Our fans have plenty to look forward to, with Cadillac joining the grid as the 11th team, new FIA regulations to improve racing — bringing lighter, more agile cars and sustainable fuel — and the addition of Madrid as a new racing destination.
“The level of competition this year is incredible, with so much top-level talent on display,” he continued. “And the impact of F1 is also supporting the FIA’s goal to increase global participation in motorsport. Talented young drivers, whatever their background, have a real chance, and the next generation of stars is already coming through.”
Ben Sulayem also addressed the possibility of a first F1 driver from the Middle East.
“Although the Middle East has yet to produce a Formula 1 driver, that may change as more young prospects emerge from a region eager to make a bigger impact in F1 and global motorsport,” he said.
“F1’s popularity has seen remarkable growth across the Arab world, particularly among young people and female fans. In Saudi Arabia, there is a strong focus on engaging youth at every level of the sport — a trend mirrored in Bahrain, Qatar, and the UAE,” he continued.
“This inclusive momentum is vital to ensure the long-term growth and sustainability of motorsport throughout the region.”
FIA and Formula E agree 10-year extension to electric world championship
- The extension is a pivotal moment for Formula E, which has recorded 20 percent year-on-year growth since its inaugural race in 2014
- The sport now attracts more than 400 million fans worldwide and reaches a global TV audience of about half a billion
LONDON: The FIA and Formula E have agreed a 10-year extension to their partnership, securing the future of the FIA Formula E World Championship until at least 2038.
Announced on Friday, the new multi-year agreement between the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile and Formula E ensures the world’s premier all-electric racing series will continue to operate under the FIA’s governance for another decade beyond the current deal.
The extension is a pivotal moment for Formula E, which has recorded 20 percent year-on-year growth since its inaugural race in 2014.
The sport now attracts more than 400 million fans worldwide and reaches a global TV audience of about half a billion.
Described by the FIA as a milestone for innovation and sustainability in motorsport, the renewed deal will allow Formula E to accelerate its expansion, pursue long-range partnerships and enhance its position as a testbed for electric vehicle technologies that translate to consumer markets.
“The extension of the agreement governing the FIA Formula E World Championship is a fantastic outcome for the sport and a clear reflection of our ongoing strategy at the FIA to foster long-term stability, innovation, and growth across all areas of motorsport,” said Mohammed Ben Sulayem, president at the FIA.
“This milestone reaffirms our commitment to innovation, sustainability, and technological progress, which are all central to the championship’s unique identity and purpose. It also aligns with our broader goal of increasing global participation and driving more accessible motorsport for all. We are delighted to be continuing this journey with Formula E, and I look forward to seeing it grow even further, both on and off the track, in the years to come,” he added.
Formula E’s cutting-edge credentials were further bolstered by the recent launch of the GEN3 Evo race car, which accelerates from 0-60mph in just 1.82 seconds, about 30 percent quicker than a current Formula 1 car.
It has a top speed of 200mph and regenerates nearly half the energy used in a race. Sustainability is a core pillar, with tyres containing 35 percent recycled materials and bodywork incorporating recycled carbon fibre and natural fibres.
Craig Edmondson, chief commercial officer at the FIA, added: “Formula E has not only demonstrated impressive growth since its inception, but has also led the way on sustainable innovation in our industry. This is a landmark agreement for the FIA and Formula E, and we are excited to be working with the championship in the years to come.”
The deal also provides the long-term security required to invest further in vehicle performance, fan engagement, and technological advancement.
Formula E is targeting faster top speeds, enhanced aerodynamics, better tyre performance, and closer racing.
“We’ve believed in Formula E since Day 1, and this extension reaffirms our confidence in where it’s headed. This is the motorsport of the future, a championship that combines the very latest technology, close-combat racing, and a mission that really matters,” said Mike Fries, CEO of Liberty Global, Formula E’s majority owner.
“With the FIA’s continued backing, we can now take the next big steps — scaling the sport, growing its global fanbase, and continuing to push the boundaries of what electric racing can achieve.
“With this new agreement in place, Formula E is now positioned better than ever to define the future of motorsport — more innovative, more inclusive, more sustainable — and to inspire the next generation of fans, drivers, and partners around the world,” he added.
Formula E’s roster includes major automotive manufacturers such as Porsche, Jaguar, Nissan, Maserati, Stellantis, Mahindra and Lola-Yamaha, with 11 teams and 22 drivers competing in cities including Jeddah, Monaco, Tokyo, London, Miami, and Shanghai.
Jeff Dodds, CEO of Formula E, said: “Formula E’s growth since its inception has been nothing short of extraordinary, with hundreds of millions of fans and world-class teams and drivers deciding to choose highly competitive electric racing.
“This long-term extension of the partnership enables us to continue building the brand, investing in the product and delivering some of the most captivating racing that has made us famous.
“With this long-term extension, the opportunity that Formula E now has to impact world motorsport will be truly transformational,” Dodds added.
Formula E has topped global rankings for environmental, social and governance performance in sport for the past three years and continues to reduce freight emissions while delivering positive legacies in its host cities through its Better Future Fund.
With global EV sales forecast to exceed 40 percent of all vehicle sales by 2030 and battery production expected to triple, the series is positioning itself at the forefront of technological and cultural shifts in motorsport and mobility.
