Category: Football

Julian Alvarez scored a hat-trick to help Atletico Madrid snatch a thrilling 3-2 win over Rayo Vallecano in La Liga on Wednesday.

The Rojiblancos fell behind in the 78th minute, but Alvarez, who had opened the scoring, struck twice more in the final stages to claim three points for Diego Simeone’s side.

The Argentina international helped Atletico secure only their second win from six league matches during a shaky start to the campaign.

Atletico are ninth and trail league leaders Real Madrid by nine points ahead of Saturday’s derby clash against Xabi Alonso’s side.

“We needed to get three points to get confidence from winning, we’ve been playing well but because of small details we weren’t getting good results,” Alvarez told Movistar.

“We have to keep working and improve some things to get on a winning run.”

Alvarez, who missed a penalty in Atletico’s frustrating draw at Mallorca last weekend, opened the scoring at the Metropolitano stadium.

The 25-year-old, who joined from Manchester City in 2024, volleyed home from Marcos Llorente’s looping cross after 15 minutes to get the ball rolling.

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The striker should have netted a second before half-time but fired high over the crossbar from Nahuel Molina’s perfectly-judged ball.

Visitors Rayo made the hosts pay in first-half stoppage time when Pep Chavarria scored one of the goals of the season, a bullet from distance which ripped into the top corner past Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak.

Rayo substitute Alvaro Garcia sent his team ahead when he played in on goal, rounding Oblak before squeezing home from a tight angle.

It enraged Atletico, and they began pouring forward, quickly finding an equalizer.

Rayo goalkeeper Augusto Batalla kept out an effort from Simeone’s son Giuliano, but Alvarez was on hand to blast the rebound home from point-blank range.

Giuliano crashed a shot off the crossbar as Atletico pushed for a winner.

With Rayo rocking, Alvarez completed his treble in the 88th minute, producing a superb finish to beat Batalla from the edge of the box.

After grumbling about being substituted during the Mallorca game, Alvarez showed his coach against Rayo why he is best left on the pitch.

READ: Messi scores two as Inter Miami thump New York City FC in MLS

Lionel Messi scored two goals and assisted on another as Inter Miami thumped New York City FC 4-0 on Wednesday to clinch an MLS Cup playoff berth.

Another classic performance from Messi propelled the Argentine superstar to the solo lead on Major League Soccer’s scoring list, taking him to 24 goals in 23 matches played, two more than LAFC’s Denis Bouanga.

Luis Suarez converted a penalty for Inter as he returned from a three-game ban for spitting on a Seattle staff member after Inter’s loss to the Sounders in the Leagues Cup final.

Baltazar Rodriguez also scored for Miami as they secured a playoff spot in convincing style.

Inter were clinging to a 1-0 lead at rainy City Field, home of Major League Baseball’s New York Mets, when Messi delivered a vintage goal in the 74th minute.

Put through by Sergio Busquets, Messi powered into the box, eluding one defender and neatly chipping a shot over Matt Freese as the New York goalkeeper dived at his feet.

After Suarez made it 3-0 from the spot, Messi struck again in the 86th with a precise, angled shot from the right side of the box to the bottom left corner.

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Inter were being outplayed early on in the awkward confines of the converted baseball field, but they seized the lead in the 43rd minute through Rodriguez.

Bousqets fed Messi, whose crisp through ball found the charging Rodriguez. The 22-year-old Argentine raced into the box and confidently slotted a low ball past Freese.

Until then, the best chances belonged to New York. Thiago Martins forced a save from Oscar Ustari with a header in the 21st minute.

One minute later, NYCFC were denied again when Aiden O’Neill’s long-range shot was blocked, and in the 29th minute, Nicolas Fernandez hit the right post.

Ten minutes into the game, Freese denied Messi, but eventually, Miami made New York pay for their inability to finish.

Inter Miami are in third place in the Eastern Conference, five points behind East leaders Philadelphia with two games in hand and still in with a chance to claim the Supporters’ Shield awarded to the team with the best overall regular-season record.

Messi, who will play the MLS Cup Playoffs for the second time, has three consecutive matches with at least one goal and one assist and has stamped himself a candidate for the 2025 Most Valuable Player award.

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Barcelona star Lamine Yamal will be driven to greater heights after being beaten to the Ballon d’Or by Ousmane Dembele, the club’s coach Hansi Flick said Wednesday.

The 18-year-old winger finished second behind Paris Saint-Germain attacker Dembele at the glitzy gala in Paris on Monday in the battle to be crowned the world’s best player, but won the Kopa Trophy for best young player.

“I spoke with him yesterday, and I think he sees it (in the) right (way), so it’s for him also motivation for the next years,” Flick told a news conference.

“Dembele, he deserved it also, it’s a vote and a lot of things can happen, and I think he accepted this in a good way, and he’s motivated to show it this season.

“Maybe next season he also will be an option for the Ballon d’Or, but I really appreciate that a lot of players from our team are in this situation, and it’s great for our team. It shows a lot how your last season was, and this is also our goal for this season.”

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Yamal starred as Barcelona won a domestic treble of La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup.

The winger is set to miss Thursday’s clash at Real Oviedo with a groin issue as the champions try to keep pace with La Liga leaders Real Madrid, who beat Levante on Tuesday to move five points clear of Barca.

Last season the Catalans struggled in games without the teenager but they thrashed Valencia and Getafe without him in their previous two games.

“I’m really happy, I never think about which player we are missing, I only focus on the team we have,” said Flick.

“Which players are the options for being in the starting XI… I’m happy with my team. It makes no difference; every starting XI can win matches. It’s not a big problem.”

Midfielder Gavi is out for the next four to five months after undergoing knee surgery on Tuesday.

The 21-year-old missed nearly a year after a knee ligament tear in November 2023.

“We have to take care of him, we have to go step by step, because he is 21 years old and he has a huge career in the next 10 to 15 years,” said Flick.

“He’s a player with a big, big heart, he’s a player with a lot of emotion, he’s a player who lives… I wouldn’t say dies, for this club, but he’s like this and I’m really happy to have him on my team.

“Of course, we are waiting until he’s back, it’s not easy for this team, because he has a huge quality for us, but every one of us will support him, will help him to reach his level again, and this is our goal now for him.”

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The Afghanistan women’s refugee football team will make their international debut next month at a tournament in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), FIFA said on Wednesday.

The FIFA Council, at football’s world governing body, approved the creation of the refugee team in May as part of efforts to support women players inside and outside the country.

The Afghan side will feature in a competition in Dubai on October 23-29 that also includes the women’s teams of hosts the UAE, Chad, and Libya.

“Ensuring that all women have access to football is a priority for FIFA and a key element in shaping the future of our sport,” FIFA president Gianni Infantino said.

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The Taliban authorities have been back in power for four years in Afghanistan after ousting a US-backed government and have drawn international criticism for their human rights record, particularly the treatment of women.

Women and girls are banned from most education and work, and also barred from parks and gyms.

Under Scottish coach Pauline Hamill the Afghan team have conducted talent ID camps, including in England and Sydney, to pick out players to represent the side.

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Barcelona midfielder Gavi is set to miss up to five months after undergoing surgery on a knee injury, the club said Tuesday.

“Gavi has had an arthroscopy to resolve a medial meniscus injury, which was sutured to preserve the meniscus. Recovery time is estimated at around 4-5 months,” said Barcelona in a statement.

The 21-year-old Spain international suffered a torn cruciate ligament in 2023 in the same knee.

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Gavi has not played since August, with Barcelona initially hoping conservative treatment would resolve the problem, without needing to resort to surgery.

Barca travel to face Real Oviedo on Thursday in La Liga before welcoming Real Sociedad on Sunday, and then hosting Paris Saint-Germain next week in the Champions League.

Gavi is not set to return until early 2026, a year in which Spain are likely to be among the favourites to win the World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

READ: Mbappe hits brace as Real Madrid thrash Levante in La Liga

French striker Kylian Mbappe struck twice as Real Madrid extended their winning start to La Liga with a comfortable 4-1 triumph at Levante on Tuesday.

With these two goals, Mbappe has reached seven league goals in six matches as Xabi Alonso’s side maintained their 100 percent record.

Vinicius Junior opened the scoring with a superb finish, and Franco Mastantuono was also on target for the league leaders.

Second-placed Barcelona visit Real Oviedo on Thursday, with the Spanish champions trailing Madrid by five points.

“It was a very good game, from the start, we were really committed in defence and the first goal was fundamental, to go ahead and give us confidence,” said Alonso.

Vinicius was unhappy to be taken off by Alonso during the win over Espanyol on Saturday, but the Brazilian winger started on the left flank and delivered.

Since coming second to Manchester City’s Rodri in last year’s Ballon d’Or rankings, Vinicius has struggled for consistency.

However, he found his rhythm at the Ciutat de Valencia stadium and opened the scoring after 28 minutes, following a bright start to the game.

“Vini had a very complete, very good game, and I am very happy for him,” said Alonso.

Valencia goalkeeper Mathew Ryan made a good save to deny Vinicius, and Mastantuono hit the bar from the rebound as Los Blancos threatened in the opening stages.

Then fed by Fede Valverde on the right of the box, Vinicius used the outside of his right boot to bend a sumptuous effort in at the far post.

Ivan Romero and Adrian de la Fuente came close early for Levante, but they were forced back, and Madrid found their second when Vinicius set up Mastantuono, who rifled into the top corner.

It was the promising 18-year-old attacker’s first goal for the club since his summer switch from River Plate.

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Ryan denied Vinicius with a good stop from close range before half-time.

Levante striker Karl Etta Eyong, in fine form himself at the start of the season, nodded home his fourth goal from close range after Romero’s cross was deflected and looped into the air.

It offered Levante a brief glimmer of hope, but that was quickly quashed by Mbappe.

Unai Elgezabal clumsily brought down the French superstar in the box, and Mbappe cheekily dinked the resulting penalty down the middle for the third.

Then, two minutes later, the forward, released by Arda Guler, rounded Ryan and tapped home his second of the night.

Mbappe struggled in his first few months at Madrid after joining from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2024, but hit top form in the second half of the season.

The striker has carried that into the new campaign and has nine goals in seven games across all competitions, helping Madrid start the campaign in ideal fashion.

“There are still things we can do better, but we’re on a good path and we have to continue along it,” said Alonso, with Los Blancos facing city rivals Atletico on Saturday.

“We’re in a construction phase… there’s still a lot we have to do.

“We’re building a solid base, and on the team, many players feel connected and important.”

Villarreal earned a late 2-1 win at Sevilla to rise to third in the table, above fourth-placed Espanyol, who drew 2-2 with Valencia.

Bottom side Girona earned a creditable 1-1 draw at Athletic Bilbao, fifth.

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Barcelona and Spain star Aitana Bonmati won the 2025 Women’s Ballon d’Or at an awards ceremony in Paris on Monday, the third consecutive year she has taken the prize.

Bonmati edged out Mariona Caldentey, her teammate in the Spain side beaten on penalties by England in the Women’s Euro 2025 final in July.

The 27-year-old midfielder also lost the Women’s Champions League final with her club last season, at the hands of Caldentey’s Arsenal.

Bonmati was named player of the tournament at the Euros, despite not starting either of Spain’s first two matches as she recovered from a bout of viral meningitis.

“I am very proud,” said Bonmati, who credited her teammates for their role in her personal triumph.

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“I think I am here for the third consecutive time because of the teams I play in, so all of this is because of them.”

Alessia Russo, one of the nominees from the triumphant England European Championship team, came in third place.

The Ballon d’Or is the most prestigious individual prize in both men’s and women’s football, and Bonmati’s run of three in a row follows back-to-back victories for her Barcelona and Spain teammate Alexia Putellas.

Norway’s Ada Hegerberg and USA star Megan Rapinoe are the only other players to have won the Women’s Ballon d’Or since it was introduced in 2018.

The Ballon d’Or is voted for by a panel of journalists, one from each of the top 100 countries in the FIFA world rankings for the men, and from the top 50 for the women.

READ: PSG star Ousmane Dembele wins 2025 men’s Ballon d’Or

France forward Ousmane Dembele won the 2025 men’s Ballon d’Or on Monday, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), which secured the Champions League title last season.

Dembele, 28, pipped Barcelona and Spain teenage sensation Lamine Yamal to the prize at a ceremony in Paris and succeeds Manchester City and Spain midfielder Rodri, who won the trophy in 2024.

The former Borussia Dortmund and Barcelona winger, who was part of the France team that won the World Cup in 2018, scored 35 goals in all competitions as PSG won a French league and cup double as well as the Champions League for the first time in their history.

“I really don’t have the words. It was an incredible season with PSG,” said an emotional Dembele, who said his club coach Luis Enrique had been “like a father”.

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“It is an individual trophy, but it was really the collective that won it,” added Dembele, who was one of nine members of the triumphant PSG team from last season nominated for the prize.

“The Ballon d’Or has not really been an objective for me in my career, but I worked hard for the team to win the Champions League.”

The 18-year-old Yamal, who was a teammate of Dembele’s at Barcelona when he first broke through in 2023, earlier won the Kopa Trophy for the best player aged under 21 – the second year running he has taken that award.

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Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca believes Cole Palmer will avoid groin surgery after the England forward was forced off during Saturday’s defeat against Manchester United.

Palmer has made just two Premier League starts this season and lasted only 21 minutes at Old Trafford before limping to the sidelines in a game Chelsea lost 2-1.

Asked whether the 23-year-old will need an operation on an injury that has been troubling him for a while, Maresca told reporters: “The medical staff, they didn’t mention to me about surgery.

“I don’t know if in the next days or the next weeks, but I don’t think so, to be honest.

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“He made a huge effort on Saturday to try to play the game. He did the test, he was OK but not 100 percent. But he wanted to be there to help his team-mates and to be there in that kind of game.

“Unfortunately, it was painful so we decided to change it. And it’s more day-by-day, week-by-week, game-by-game to see how it is and then decide what we do.”

Palmer is likely to miss Chelsea’s League Cup third-round tie at third-tier Lincoln on Tuesday, with Romeo Lavia and Benoit Badiashile also ruled out.

Maresca is likely to select several youth academy players but the Italian conceded it was a risky strategy given the potential for a cup upset against a team flying high in League One.

“These are the games that worry me most, because you can slip up very easily,” he said. “Football is full of these kind of games and I am very worried about that.”

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Manchester United eased the pressure on beleaguered boss Ruben Amorim with a chaotic 2-1 win against Chelsea as both teams finished with 10 men at Old Trafford.

Fighting to avoid the sack after a woeful start to the season, Amorim received a welcome boost when Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez was sent off after just five minutes of Saturday’s clash.

Bruno Fernandes quickly put United ahead with his 100th goal for the club in all competitions in his 200th Premier League appearance.

Casemiro doubled United’s lead before the Brazil midfielder was dismissed for a second booking in first-half stoppage time.

Trevoh Chalobah’s late reply for Chelsea set up a tense finale, but United held on for just their second win in six matches in all competitions this term.

Having kicked off languishing just above the relegation zone, Amorim’s side climbed to ninth place to give the Portuguese coach a little breathing space.

“I felt the urgency. Of course, the Sanchez sending off helped us, but we had the red card with Casemiro. We like to complicate our game always,” Amorim said.

“It is really important to win because I understand the situation around this club.

“I have nothing to say to the critics, and most of the time they are right. Today we won, and it is a good day for us.”

Amorim, who has won just nine of his 32 Premier League matches, shouldn’t rest on his laurels just yet.

After presiding over United’s lowest top-flight finish since 1973-74 and a limp Europa League final loss to Tottenham last term, Amorim spent big in the summer to overhaul his moribund team.

But United suffered an embarrassing League Cup exit at fourth-tier Grimsby in August before last weekend’s 3-0 loss at Manchester City underlined the vast gulf to their rivals.

Former Sporting Lisbon boss Amorim, who replaced the sacked Erik ten Hag in November, insists he retains the backing of co-owner Jim Ratcliffe after speaking to the British billionaire at the club’s training ground on Thursday.

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Ratcliffe was in the directors’ box at rain-lashed Old Trafford to see if his support for Amorim was well placed.

With storm clouds gathering for Amorim, he stuck with his much-criticised 3-4-3 formation after joking this week that even the Pope could not make him change his tactics.

The move paid dividends as the erratic Sanchez rashly raced out of his penalty area in a bid to clear before Bryan Mbeumo could reach Benjamin Sesko’s flick, but instead sent the United forward crashing to the turf with a reckless challenge.

It was a clear red card for denying a goal-scoring opportunity, and there were no complaints from Chelsea about their quickest ever Premier League dismissal.

Filip Jorgensen replaced Sanchez in goal as Maresca took off wingers Estevao, Willian, and Pedro Neto in a defensive move that immediately backfired.

United went for the jugular and took the lead in the 14th minute when Fernandes, played just onside by Chalobah, timed his run perfectly to meet Patrick Dorgu’s header with a clinical finish from four yards.

Chelsea’s misery mounted when England forward Cole Palmer was forced off with an apparent recurrence of a groin injury, making it a remarkable three substitutions in only 21 minutes for the Blues.

For once, the luck was all going Amorim’s way, and Chelsea imploded to gift United their second goal in the 37th minute.

Jorgensen stood rooted to the spot as Reece James’s sliced clearance was headed on by Harry Maguire to Casemiro, who nodded home from close range for his first league goal in 11 months.

Casemiro, booked for an earlier foul on Enzo Fernández, saw red on the stroke of half-time after needlessly pulling back Andrey Santos.

United struggled to find any rhythm in the second half, and Chalobah reduced the deficit in the 80th minute when he rose unmarked to meet James’s cross with a powerful header that flashed past Altay Bayindir from 12 yards.

It was too late to stop Chelsea slumping to their first league defeat this season as Amorim breathed a sigh of relief.

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