Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane has accepted responsibility for a crushing 3-0 El Clasico defeat inspired by the mercurial Lionel Messi on Saturday that left the European champions 14 points adrift of Barcelona at the top of La Liga.
With the Argentine striker orchestrating from the front, Barcelona produced a scintillating second half performance, scoring three unanswered goals on their way to victory over their bitter rivals at the Santiago Bernabeu.
However, Zidane insisted Madrid will come back stronger in the new year after La Liga’s winter break and refused to concede the league to Barca.
“We are down because it is a defeat that hurts,” said Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane. “Madrid never give up, whatever happens. It is a difficult moment because we’ve lost by three goals. I could say we don’t deserve it, but that is football.”
Zidane took the surprise decision to start Mateo Kovacic for the first time in La Liga this season to try negate the threat of Lionel Messi as the Croatian had so successfully when Real thrashed Barca 5-1 in the Spanish Super Cup on aggregate in August. But it was to no avail as Messi dominated.
After Madrid missed a host of first-half chances, Kovacic was powerless to stop Messi wrestling control of the game as the Argentine netted from the penalty spot after Luis Suarez’s opener and then teed up Aleix Vidal for Barca’s third in stoppage time on a miserable day for the champions.
“That is football but it won’t change how I think or what I do,” added Zidane. “I am the coach and I will continue like this as long as I am here.”
A 3-0 defeat is also Zidane's heaviest since he took charge of Real nearly two years ago. However, there didn’t appear to be such a margin between the sides in the first 45 minutes as Madrid dominated. Cristiano Ronaldo miskicked with the goal at his mercy after just 10 minutes and Karim Benzema hit the post just before half-time.
Not only does the victory take Barcelona 14 points clear of Real, but it was also the first time in La Liga history that the Catalans had won three El Clasico matches in a row at the Bernabeu. Victory also extends Barca’s unbeaten run to 25 games in all competitions and sees them go nine points clear of second-placed Atletico Madrid, while effectively knocking Real out of the title race.
But Valverde refused to accept he had tactically outfoxed Zidane and insisted Barca can’t celebrate taking back the title from Madrid just yet with 21 league games still to come.
“Our intention is that no one beats us,” he added when quizzed whether his side, on a 25-game unbeaten run, are capable of dropping enough points to led Madrid back into the title race.
“They pressed us very high and it forced us to play long,” he added. “We couldn’t play as we are used to. It was an open game with no side in command, but in the second-half we managed to impose our control on the game.”
And while Messi once again shone, Valverde reserved special praise for Thomas Vermaelen who contributed to another clean sheet in the absence of the injured Samuel Umtiti.
Vermaelen has been much-criticized since joining from Arsenal in 2014 for poor performances and unfortunate history of injuries. “People ask me a lot about Vermaelen as if it seems something bad is going to happen. What I see is a player who trains well, plays, well, is strong and can play with the ball.
“At times in Barcelona we want to put on the bandage before there is a wound.”
Madrid do still have a game in hand over Barca to marginally reduce the gap at the top, but it is now likely they will concentrate on becoming the first side to win three consecutive Champions League titles in more than 40 years when the competition returns in 2018.
Magic Messi downs Madrid as Zidane says Real will fight on
Magic Messi downs Madrid as Zidane says Real will fight on
‘This is My City’: Fighter Abdulaziz bin Moammar eyes success in front of hometown fans in Riyadh
- The rising amateur star will face Hassan Ahmed of Egypt at PFL MENA 2 on July 4 at the Green Halls
- The Saudi’s latest challenge follows a debut victory against Algerian Fares Hamdani at PFL MENA 1 in Jeddah in May
RIYADH: When Abdulaziz bin Moammar steps inside the world-famous Professional Fighters League SmartCage at PFL MENA 2 in Riyadh on July 4, it will not be just another fight for him.
The amateur standout will be competing in front of a hometown crowd for the first time and he is looking forward to the landmark experience.
“Fighting in Riyadh isn’t just another bout, it’s a responsibility,” he said of his clash with Hassan Ahmed of Egypt at the Green Halls. “This is my city, this is where I grew up, and my real fans are here.”
Bin Moammar expects to feed off the unique energy that will be generated by that hometown crowd on fight night.
“Competing in front of (local fans) gives me a different kind of energy, so there’s no room for hesitation or retreat,” he added.
A dangerous grappler with a background in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and combat sambo, the fighter used his elite ground game to emerge victorious against Fares Hamdani from Algeria at PFL MENA 1 in Jeddah in May. It marked a successful start to his amateur MMA career, and he said the debut win helped boost his confidence and determination.
“That fight in Jeddah was an important first step,” bin Moammar said. “It gave me confidence. The win sparked a deep drive in me to continue.”
With his maiden PFL win in the books he is now looking ahead to another tough test, his showdown on Friday with the dangerous Ahmed, who has a 3-1 amateur record.
“Now, in Riyadh, the challenge is bigger and the expectations are higher,” bin Moammar said.
He revealed that to ensure he is at his fighting peak, he has had to make some difficult sacrifices for his training regimen.
“I’m in an intense local training camp in Riyadh, fully dedicating my time to preparation,” he said.
“It’s kept me away from my family and it hasn’t been easy, but I believe that every sacrifice I make today will pay off tomorrow. The camp is physically and mentally exhausting but I’m determined to show the best version of myself in the SmartCage.”
When the bout begins on fight night, bin Moammar guaranteed that he will be fighting backed by the strength of all the young fighters in the Kingdom with dreams of making it big one day on the global stage.
“I promise to fight with the spirit of every young Saudi who dreams of excelling in this sport,” he said. “The journey is long and going professional is no easy task but I’m ready to go all the way. Your support is my greatest weapon.”
Tickets for PFL MENA 2 are available now at webook.com.
Former runner-up Ons Jabeur retires from Wimbledon first-round match
- Bulgarian Tomova took a tight opening set on a tiebreak and was 2-0 ahead in the second when Jabeur retired
LONDON: Twice Wimbledon runner-up Ons Jabeur’s tournament lasted only one hour and 25 minutes as the Tunisian retired in her first-round match against Viktoriya Tomova on Monday.
Bulgarian Tomova took a tight opening set on a tiebreak and was 2-0 ahead in the second when Jabeur, who reached the final in 2022 and 2023, decided she could not continue.
The 30-year-old former world number two had looked uncomfortable in fiercely hot conditions on Court 14 and needed a long medical timeout in the first set.
Jabeur, who has slipped outside the world’s top 50, suffers from asthma and experienced breathing difficulties at this year’s Australian Open.
“I wasn’t expecting not to feel good,” Jabeur said. “I have been practicing pretty well the last few days but I guess these things happen.
“I’m pretty sad, it really doesn’t really help with my confidence and what I keep pushing myself to do even though it was a very tough season for me. I hope I can feel better and see what is going to happen.”
Temperatures at Wimbledon were expected to reach 34 degrees Celsius on the opening day of the championships and the All England Club has implemented its warm weather policy.
Pakistan name Azhar Mahmood as latest red-ball head coach
- Azhar Mahmood becomes fourth man to be appointed to the post in last 18 months
- Pakistan will host South Africa in their first series of latest WTC cycle in October
KARACHI: Pakistan on Monday named former all-rounder Azhar Mahmood interim head coach of the Test side, the fourth man to take the post in the last 18 months.
The 50-year-old will remain in the position until January, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said.
As a pace bowling all-rounder Mahmood played 143 one-day internationals and 21 Tests for Pakistan, and has been serving as assistant coach since last year.
“The PCB announces Mahmood as the acting red-ball head coach of the Pakistan men’s team,” said a PCB press release.
Mahmood replaces Aaqib Javed, who was interim head coach for the Test series in South Africa in December-January and at home against the West Indies.
Javed left after Pakistan lost all four Tests and finished ninth and last in the third cycle of the World Test Championship.
Javed took over from former Australia pacer Jason Gillespie, who quit six months into his stint in December 2024 after differences with the PCB.
Before Gillespie, former Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez was team director and oversaw a 3-0 Test defeat in Australia.
Monday’s appointment is part of a series of changes the PCB has taken to improve the performances of the national team after a poor two years.
Last month, New Zealand’s Mike Hesson took over as white-ball head coach for two years.
Pakistan will host South Africa in their first series of the latest WTC cycle in October this year and then Sri Lanka in December-January.
Baniyas emerge victorious in round 4 of Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship
- Final day of action in Abu Dhabi concluded with Al-Jazira Jiu-Jitsu Club finishing second and Al-Ain Jiu-Jitsu Club taking third
ABU DHABI: The fourth round of the Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship concluded on Sunday at Mubadala Arena in Zayed Sports City with Baniyas Club taking first place.
The final day of action had competitions in the kids and under-12 divisions (Gi category), with final overall standings confirming Al-Jazira Jiu-Jitsu Club in second and Al-Ain Jiu-Jitsu Club taking third.
Mohamed Humaid Hamad Dalmouj Aldhaheri, board member of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, said the championship “reflects the wise leadership’s vision of empowering individuals.”
“The involvement of younger age groups demonstrates the success of our long-term development plans, providing a safe, competitive, and professional environment that nurtures talent and builds a solid foundation for future national champions,” he added.
“The leadership’s continued support, including the directive of His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed to double the prize pool, inspires the entire jiu-jitsu community,” he said.
“This sport promotes physical fitness, mental resilience, and values like discipline and respect — key pillars for a strong society and a sustainable, world-leading nation.”
Hamad Nasseeb Al-Ahbabi, father of young athlete Matar Al-Ahbabi, said: “Anyone who’s seen my son’s progress in jiu-jitsu understands how much this sport can transform young lives. This championship is about more than medals.
“It’s about building character, values, and confidence. The generous prize initiative from His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed is a clear sign of how much the leadership cares about motivating and supporting the nation’s youth.”
The next round is in August, as jiu-jitsu strengthens its position as one of the UAE’s leading sports.
Caitlin Clark and Napheesa Collier chosen as captains of WNBA All-Star Game by fan vote
- Clark received 1,293,526 votes from fans, while Collier had about 100,000 fewer
- Collier leads the league in scoring at a career-best 24.5 points and is fourth in rebounding at 8.4 per game
NEW YORK: Caitlin Clark and Napheesa Collier will captain the WNBA All-Star Game next month, the league announced Sunday.
Clark received 1,293,526 votes from fans, while Collier had about 100,000 fewer.
“It’s cool that fans get to be a part of it and have a little impact on the game,” Clark said. “It’s going to be special to do it here in this city. ... Trying to make it the best All-Star that the WNBA has ever had. It’s certainly a cool honor.”
The Indiana Fever star, who is sidelined with a groin strain, is averaging 18.2 points and a career-high 8.9 assists. She also led the fan voting last season, her rookie year, but the All-Star format was the US Olympic team playing against a select group of WNBA stars so no captains were chosen. She learned she was captain in a phone call from WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert.
Collier leads the league in scoring at a career-best 24.5 points and is fourth in rebounding at 8.4 per game. Her daughter surprised her wearing a shirt saying “Mama you’re a All-Star,” as she scooted into the locker room with former Lynx great Sylvia Fowles right behind her to let Collier know the news.
“It’s really cool,” Collier said to reporters before warming up for a game Sunday night “I went from never being a starter to captain.”
This will be her fifth All-Star appearance.
Before squaring off in Indianapolis on July 19, Clark and the Fever will face Collier and the Lynx on Tuesday in the Commissioner’s Cup final.
The 10 starters were selected from across the WNBA without regard to conference affiliation. Current players and a media panel joined fans in selecting the All-Star starters. Fans voting accounted for 50 percent, while the players vote and the media choices each account for 25 percent.
The pair will draft their fellow starters from a group that will be revealed on Monday. After the starters are announced, the league’s head coaches will choose the 13 reserves by voting for three guards, five frontcourt players and four from either position. Coaches can’t vote for players from their own teams. The 12 reserves will be revealed next Sunday.
“Obviously I’m going to try and get my teammates on my team, that’s the goal,” Clark said. “Once they come out with whoever has made it and whoever hasn’t, I’ll get to pick and choose. I don’t know how it works.”
The two All-Star captains will then draft their respective rosters by selecting first from the remaining eight players in the pool of starters and then from the pool of 12 reserves.
Clark and Collier also led the initial fan voting, with Indiana’s Aliyah Boston in third. Boston finished second last season behind Clark in the fan vote.
