BILBAO, Spain: Athletic Bilbao powered to a convincing 2-0 victory over a flat Atletico Madrid on Saturday in La Liga to close the gap on the top four.
Ernesto Valverde’s side, fifth, moved within two points of champions Barcelona, fourth, who visit Valencia later on, and third-place Atletico.
Gorka Guruzeta and Nico Williams struck second-half goals to deservedly secure the points for the intense Basques who dominated at a jubilant San Mames.
Atletico have lost four games in La Liga this season, each away from home, while winning all eight matches they have played at their Metropolitano stadium.
“I think we played badly,” Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak told Movistar.
“We cannot play like this, one way at home, another away, you can’t win titles like this, you can’t win leagues... Bilbao were a lot better than us.”
Athletic drove Diego Simeone’s visitors back in the first half, testing Oblak on multiple occasions.
The Slovenian made a superb save low at his near post to deny Guruzeta early on, and another to block Nico Williams’ effort after he broke through on the left.
Oblak was saved by the frame of his goal on two occasions, with both brothers Inaki and Nico Williams striking the woodwork.
Athletic’s best chance of the first half came from the penalty spot but Oihan Sancet smashed high and wide after Caglar Soyuncu felled Nico Williams.
Athletic got the breakthrough they deserved quickly at the start of the second half, with Ander Herrera crossing to the back post, where Guruzeta was unmarked to finish with ease.
Inaki Williams, making his 400th appearance for Athletic, was instrumental in the build-up and continued his own fine form, even though he did not find the net.
Nico Williams added a stunning second when he made space on the right side of the area and bent a shot over Oblak into the far top corner with his weaker left foot.
Athletic’s second goal spurred Atletico into life, with Samuel Lino and Marcos Llorente threatening, but they could not pull the visitors back into the match.
Despite defeat and his team’s drab display, Atletico coach Simeone maintained a positive attitude.
“They were better from start to end, in the last 15 minutes we tried to fight,” Simeone told reporters.
“Today is the day I am calmest ... I know the boys are giving me (everything) and I am with them to the death.”
“The fans are giving me everything and I want to keep giving them joy,” Nico Williams told Movistar.
“We’re an ambitious team, we have to keep working and this is the way... we’ve taken a step forward from last season and should make our stadium a fortress.”
Victory was the perfect way for Athletic to round off their 125th anniversary celebrations.
Basque golfer Jon Rahm took a ceremonial kick-off before the game and showed fans his green jacket, which he won at the 2023 Augusta Masters, while a statue to club legend Jose Angel Iribar was unveiled outside the ground.
Xavi Hernandez’s struggling Barcelona could overtake Atletico if they do not lose against Valencia at the Mestalla.
Leaders Girona host Alaves on Monday, while second-place Real Madrid welcome Villarreal on Sunday.
Sevilla fell to a humiliating 3-0 home defeat by Getafe, piling more pressure on coach Diego Alonso.
Borja Mayoral and Mason Greenwood converted penalties for Jose Bordalas’ team, either side of Jaime Mata’s strike.
The struggling Andalusians have not won in 10 league matches and are 16th, level on 13 points with Celta Vigo and Cadiz below them.
After confirming a bottom-place finish in their Champions League group earlier this week, Spanish media this week reported Alonso could be fired if he failed to inspire Sevilla to a victory over Getafe.
Rafa Benitez’s Celta earned a tight 1-0 win over Granada, 19th, to move provisionally out of the relegation zone.
Athletic Bilbao earn impressive win over Atletico
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Athletic Bilbao earn impressive win over Atletico
- Ernesto Valverde’s side, fifth, moved within two points of champions Barcelona, fourth, who visit Valencia later on, and third-place Atletico
- “I think we played badly,” Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak told Movistar
UEFA apologizes after running out of medals during Europa League final ceremony
- Spurs captain Son Heung-min and two other players, the last to line up for individual medals, were left empty-handed
- Tottenham Hotspur beat Manchester United 1-0 to win the club’s fourth European title on Wednesday
UEFA has apologized for running out of winners medals during the Europa League final trophy ceremony on Wednesday after more Tottenham Hotspur players than expected lined up to receive their individual prizes.
Spurs captain Son Heung-min and two other players, the last to line up for individual medals, were left empty-handed after their team beat Manchester United 1-0 to win the club’s fourth European title on Wednesday.
Son lifted the trophy without a medal around his neck.
“To our great displeasure, we did not have enough medals available on stage during the trophy ceremony presentation due to an unexpected discrepancy in the player count ...” British media quoted European soccer’s governing body as saying on Thursday.
“More team members – including injured players – participated in the ceremony than initially anticipated.
“The missing medals were promptly delivered to the winning team in the dressing room, along with our sincerest apologies for the oversight.”
Real Madrid great Luka Modric leaving club after 13 years. Exit to follow Club World Cup
- Madrid will pay tribute to Modric in their last match of the season Saturday against Real Sociedad in La Liga at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium
- In 13 seasons, Modric helped the club win 28 titles: six European Cups, six Club World Cups, five European Super Cups, four Spanish leagues, two Copas del Rey and five Spanish Super Cups
MADRID: Real Madrid and midfielder Luka Modric — the most decorated player in the club’s history — have agreed to part ways after the Club World Cup.
The 39-year-old Modric will leave after an “unforgettable time as a player at our club,” the club said in Thursday’s announcement.
Madrid will pay tribute to Modric in their last match of the season Saturday against Real Sociedad in La Liga at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. The Club World Cup starts in mid-June in the United States.
“The moment has arrived,” Modric said on social media. “The moment I never wanted to come, but that’s football, and in life everything has a beginning and an end. On Saturday, I’ll play my last game at the Santiago Bernabeu.”
Modric arrived at Madrid in 2012 and became a key player during one of the most successful periods in the club’s history.
“Real Madrid wishes to express its immense gratitude and appreciation for a player who has become a true legend both of our club and world football,” the club said.
In 13 seasons, Modric helped the club win 28 titles: six European Cups, six Club World Cups, five European Super Cups, four Spanish leagues, two Copas del Rey and five Spanish Super Cups.
“Luka Modric will forever remain in the hearts of all madridistas (Madrid fans) as a unique and exemplary footballer who has always embodied the values of Real Madrid,” club president Florentino Perez said. “His football has captured the imagination of madridismo and fans all over the world. His legacy will live on forever.”
The Croatia international has made 590 appearances for Madrid — eighth on the club’s all-time list — and has scored 43 goals. He had been playing fewer minutes in recent seasons under coach Carlo Ancelotti.
He is one of only five players to have won six European Cups.
In 2018, Modric won the Ballon d’Or, was named FIFA’s best men’s player and UEFA’s men’s player of the year. Twice he’s been named the best midfielder in the Champions League.
“I’m leaving filled with pride, gratitude and unforgettable memories,” Modric said. “And although after the Club World Cup I won’t wear this shirt on the field again, I’ll always be a madridista.”
Modric did not indicate his post-Madrid plans, but a motivating factor could be that the 2026 World Cup is only a year away.
Modric’s 186 matches for Croatia make him the nation’s record-holder for international appearances. He won the Golden Ball at the 2018 World Cup in Russia — where Croatia lost the final to France — and the Bronze Ball at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Raphinha extends Barca deal until 2028
- “Barcelona and Raphinha have reached an agreement for the renewal of his contract,” said the Catalan giants
- Raphinha, a candidate to win the Ballon d’Or, has scored 34 goals and provided 25 assists
BARCELONA: Barcelona winger Raphinha signed a contract extension until 2028 on Thursday after a spectacular season.
The Brazilian, whose previous deal was set to expire in 2027, was vital as Barcelona won a domestic treble of La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup.
“Barcelona and Raphinha have reached an agreement for the renewal of his contract, which will link him to the club until June 30, 2028,” said the Catalan giants in a statement.
Raphinha, a candidate to win the Ballon d’Or, has scored 34 goals and provided 25 assists in 56 matches across all competitions.
The 28-year-old is the joint top goalscorer in the Champions League with 13, but Barcelona were knocked out in a thrilling semifinal tie against Inter Milan.
He netted a hat-trick in Barca’s group stage win over Bayern Munich and a brace in the recent Clasico win over Real Madrid which took Barca to the verge of their La Liga conquest.
Raphinha’s contract renewal follows coach Hansi Flick’s on Wednesday, with the German penning a new deal until 2027.
Teenage winger Lamine Yamal, 17, is also expected to sign a new contract in the coming weeks.
His agent Jorge Mendes told reporters “he will renew (his deal) soon,” after having lunch with Yamal on the outskirts of Barcelona on Thursday.
Raphinha and Yamal have been devastating on the flanks for Barcelona, either side of veteran striker Robert Lewandowski.
The Catalans have scored 99 goals in 37 La Liga matches and are hoping to pass a century on Sunday when they visit Athletic Bilbao in the last match of the season.
Raphinha arrived in 2022 from Leeds United for around £55 million ($74 million) and helped Barcelona win La Liga in his first season.
However he came close to leaving the club after a disappointing 2023-24 campaign, but was convinced to stay by Flick.
Pulisic leads list of US absentees for Gold Cup
- Pulisic plans to take a break following a demanding season with his Serie A club
- Fellow Milan midfielder Yunus Musah and Fulham defender Antonee Robinson were also left out of the squad
ROME: AC Milan’s Christian Pulisic will miss next month’s CONCACAF Gold Cup, leading a group of notable absentees from Mauricio Pochettino’s 27-man US squad announced on Thursday.
Pulisic plans to take a break following a demanding season with his Serie A club, where he featured in 49 matches across all competitions, tallying up 17 goals and 12 assists, while dealing with some minor injuries.
“Christian and his team approached the federation and the coaching staff about the possibility of stepping back this summer, given the amount of matches he has played in the past two years at both the club and international level with very little break,” US Soccer Sporting Director Matt Crocker said in a statement.
“We made the collective decision that this is the right moment for him to get the rest he needs. The objective is to ensure he’s fully prepared to perform at the highest level next season.”
Fellow Milan midfielder Yunus Musah and Fulham defender Antonee Robinson were also left out of the squad, while Juventus pair Weston McKennie and Tim Weah, along with Borussia Dortmund’s Gio Reyna, will be unavailable due to their clubs’ participation in the Club World Cup in the US which starts on June 15.
Defenders Alex Freeman and Quinn Sullivan, midfielder Sebastian Berhalter and forward Damion Down have all received their first senior call-ups.
“As we continue preparations for the World Cup, this is a fantastic opportunity to work with this group of players for an extended period and it’s important we take advantage of every moment,” Argentine manager Pochettino said.
“Of course, we want to win and to perform in a very good way. These players have earned the chance to compete for our fans and to show their quality and mentality.”
The US host Turkiye on June 7 before facing Switzerland three days later, with both friendlies serving as warm-ups ahead of the Gold Cup which runs from June 14 to July 6 in the US and Canada.
PSG sporting director Campos extends contract to 2030
- Campos “will oversee the sports strategy of the whole QSI group“
- His existing deal was due to expire at the end of this season
PARIS: Paris Saint-Germain sporting director Luis Campos has extended his contract with the French giants in a boost to the club ahead of the upcoming Champions League final.
In a statement issued on Thursday, PSG’s owners Qatar Sports Investments (QSI) announced that Campos had renewed his contract “for an additional five years until 2030.”
Campos, who is from Portugal and began working with PSG in an official role of football adviser in 2022, “will oversee the sports strategy of the whole QSI group.”
That includes Braga, who finished fourth in this season’s Portuguese league and in whom QSI holds a minority stake.
Campos’s existing deal was due to expire at the end of this season and the announcement is welcome news for PSG as they prepare for the Champions League final against Inter Milan in Munich on May 31.
Before that they face Reims in the French Cup final on Saturday as they bid to complete a clean sweep of the domestic honors in France for the second season running.
Campos previously worked at Monaco and at Lille and has overseen the successful squad rebuild at PSG following the shift away from the superstar approach that led to the signings of Neymar and Lionel Messi.
