Football

Real Madrid extended their unbeaten streak in La Liga to 37 matches with a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Real Sociedad at the Reale Arena on Saturday. The Spanish champions moved within a point of league leaders Barcelona, who face Girona on Sunday.Despite missing injured midfielders Jude Bellingham and Aurelien Tchouameni, Real Madrid started brightly. Kylian Mbappe forced Real Sociedad goalkeeper Alex Remiro into a smart save, while Vinicius Junior also threatened. However, it was the hosts who hit the woodwork three times in the first half, with Luka Sucic, Sheraldo Becker, and Sucic again all coming close.Real Madrid took the lead in the 58th minute when Vinicius Junior converted a penalty after Sergio Gomez handled Arda Guler's drive. Mbappe doubled the advantage just minutes later, sending Remiro the wrong way from the spot after Jon Aramburu stood on Vinicius' foot.Real Sociedad continued to press for an equalizer, but Madrid held firm to secure the three points. The victory was a testament to the team's resilience and commitment, according to coach Carlo Ancelotti."It was a tough game, probably we didn't deserve to win because Real Sociedad played very well... but we bore it out, we suffered, we were committed in the tough moments of the game and I value that a lot," Ancelotti said.Mbappe now has three goals in five La Liga matches for Madrid, although two have come from the penalty spot. The French superstar has formed a dangerous partnership with Vinicius Junior, who has also scored three goals this season."They are linking well, creating a lot of danger," said goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. "In open play they're lacking goals a bit, but with them we have a lot of danger up front and we will score a lot of goals."Real Sociedad have just one win from five games this season, but Imanol Alguacil's team played well against Madrid."We had a great first half, we had a lot of chances, the game was alive," said Real Sociedad's Igor Zubeldia. "In the second half we started well but the penalty was a tough blow... we were comfortable, it changed the whole game for us."

Real Madrid's unbeaten start to the La Liga season was put to the test on Thursday as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Las Palmas. The Spanish champions found themselves trailing early on after Alberto Moleiro's fifth-minute goal, but Vinicius Junior's second-half penalty rescued a point for Carlo Ancelotti's side.Madrid's struggles continued in the first half, as they failed to create clear-cut chances and were punished by Las Palmas' early strike. Moleiro's goal came from a well-worked move, with the midfielder finding space in the box and firing a low shot past Thibaut Courtois.The visitors improved after the break and were awarded a penalty in the 69th minute when Alex Suarez was adjudged to have handled the ball in the area. Vinicius Junior stepped up and converted the spot-kick to level the scores.Despite their dominance in possession, Madrid were unable to find a winning goal and were forced to settle for a draw. The result leaves them fourth in the standings, four points behind archrivals Barcelona.In the day's other match, Girona put Osasuna to the sword in a crushing 4-0 victory. Osasuna were completely outplayed and could only muster a single shot, which was not on target. Bryan Gil opened the scoring for Girona in the 34th minute, before Viktor Tsygankov and Abel Ruiz hit goals in a quick-fire three-minute period around 53 minutes to put the game out of reach. Uruguay's Cristhian Stuani wrapped up the dominant win with a fourth goal at the death.

Vinicius Junior's meteoric rise to stardom has been nothing short of remarkable. After enduring a challenging start to his Real Madrid career, the Brazilian winger has transformed into one of the most feared attackers in the world. Now, on the cusp of his second Champions League triumph, Vinicius has his sights set on even greater heights.Vinicius's journey to the top has been marked by perseverance and unwavering determination. Despite being ridiculed for his early profligacy, he remained steadfast in his belief and worked tirelessly to improve his game. The arrival of Carlo Ancelotti as manager proved to be a turning point, as the Italian tactician recognized Vinicius's potential and provided him with the confidence and guidance he needed to flourish.Under Ancelotti's tutelage, Vinicius has blossomed into a complete forward. He has developed a keen eye for goal, scoring 23 goals in each of the past two seasons. His versatility has also been a key factor in his success, as he has seamlessly adapted to playing as a central striker or on the wing.Vinicius's transformation has not gone unnoticed. He has become a fan favorite at Real Madrid and has earned the respect of his opponents. However, his rise to prominence has also been accompanied by a disturbing trend of racial abuse. Vinicius has faced numerous incidents of hate speech when playing away from home in Spain.Despite these challenges, Vinicius has remained composed and focused on his football. He has refused to let the abuse deter him and has instead used it as motivation to prove his worth. His resilience and determination are a testament to his character and his unwavering belief in himself.As Real Madrid prepare to face Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League final, Vinicius is determined to make history once again. He is eager to add a second European Cup to his collection and cement his status as one of the greatest players in the world. However, for Vinicius, individual accolades are secondary to the team's success."I've never thought about (winning the Ballon d'Or)," said Vinicius. "The best thing that can happen this season is winning the Champions League."Vinicius's humility and team-first mentality are a reflection of his maturity and his understanding of the importance of collective achievement. He knows that his individual brilliance is only valuable if it contributes to the success of Real Madrid.As the countdown to the Champions League final continues, Vinicius is poised to make his mark on the biggest stage of club football. His journey from a raw talent to a world-class star has been an inspiration to many, and his story is far from over.

Real Madrid's relentless march towards the Champions League final continued with a resounding 5-0 victory over Alaves at the Santiago Bernabeu. Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior were the stars of the show, inspiring Carlo Ancelotti's side to a comprehensive demolition of their Basque visitors.Bellingham opened the scoring with a fortunate goal, directing Toni Kroos' cross towards the far post where Dani Carvajal was running in, but the ball sank directly into the net. The England international then played a pivotal role in Madrid's next three goals, threading a pass through for Eduardo Camavinga to set up Vinicius for a tap-in.Fede Valverde rattled home the third in first-half stoppage time after Bellingham played him in, hammering a strike into the top corner at the near post. Vinicius extended Madrid's lead after Bellingham played him in, lashing home his second of the night with a fine finish.Turkish teenager Arda Guler added a late fifth to put the cherry on Madrid's cake, moving them 17 points clear of second-place Barcelona. The victory was Madrid's 30th consecutive league game unbeaten, a testament to their defensive solidity."We've had just one defeat in the league and I think that a big part of the success is because of (the defence)," Ancelotti said after the match.Despite celebrating their title with an open-top bus parade on Sunday, Madrid remain focused on the Champions League final against Liverpool on May 28. Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who made a fine double save from Samu Omorodion in the opening minutes, is hoping for a start in the final and boasts three clean sheets in three matches since his return from injury."I knew I'd come back strongly -- I'm the same Courtois, or even better," said the goalkeeper.Alaves, who have enjoyed a strong season and are safely ensconced in mid-table, were dismantled with consummate ease by Madrid. Coach Luis Garcia Plaza lamented, "Every time a small team comes here, it's a torment."

Real Madrid's dominance in Spanish football has reached new heights as they clinched the La Liga title with four games to spare, leaving their rivals Barcelona trailing in their wake. The comprehensive 3-0 victory over relegation-threatened Cadiz, even with a lineup predominantly of bench players, was enough to secure the title as Barcelona stumbled to a 4-2 defeat against Girona.Barcelona's hopes of silverware this season have been dashed, as they now trail Real Madrid by an insurmountable 14 points. With Girona leapfrogging Barcelona into second place, Madrid's coronation as La Liga champions for the 36th time was confirmed, marking another chapter in the club's illustrious history.Real Madrid's triumph is a testament to their resilience and depth. Despite losing star forward Karim Benzema to injury at the start of the campaign, youngster Jude Bellingham stepped up with consistent performances, scoring 18 league goals and providing leadership in the midfield. Vinicius Junior's brilliance also played a crucial role in Madrid's success.Madrid's only loss in 34 rounds so far highlights their dominance. They beat Barcelona in both league "clasico" matches and dealt Girona a pair of lopsided losses in their two meetings.Ancelotti's decision to overhaul his lineup ahead of the decider against Bayern Munich paid off. Brahim Díaz broke through Cadiz's defense in the 51st minute, while Bellingham tapped in a second goal in the 68th. Joselu Mato added a third in injury time.Barcelona's double blow of watching Madrid claim the title and falling behind Girona in the Catalan derby was a bitter pill to swallow. Girona's top-four finish and Champions League berth is a significant achievement, but it also poses a potential issue for UEFA due to their ownership group's involvement with Manchester City.

Real Madrid and Bayern Munich played out a thrilling 2-2 draw in the first leg of their Champions League semifinal on Tuesday. Vinícius Júnior was the star for Madrid, scoring twice to cancel out goals from Leroy Sané and Harry Kane.Bayern dominated the opening stages, but Madrid took the lead against the run of play when Vinícius Júnior raced onto a through ball from Toni Kroos and slotted past Manuel Neuer. Bayern equalized in the second half through Sané, but Kane put the hosts ahead from the penalty spot just four minutes later.Madrid were awarded a penalty of their own late on when Kim Min-jae brought down Rodrygo, and Vinícius Júnior made no mistake from the spot. The result leaves the tie finely poised ahead of the second leg in Madrid on May 8.Vinícius Júnior's performance was particularly impressive. The Brazilian forward was a constant threat to the Bayern defense, and his two goals were crucial in keeping Madrid in the tie.Toni Kroos also played a key role for Madrid. The German midfielder returned to his former club and put in a typically composed performance, dictating the tempo of the game and creating chances for his teammates.Bayern will be disappointed not to have won the first leg at home, but they will still be confident of reaching the final. The German champions have a strong record at the Allianz Arena, and they will be looking to use their home advantage to their advantage in the second leg.

Real Madrid extended their lead atop La Liga to seven points on Sunday with a comfortable 4-0 home victory over Celta Vigo, aided by two own goals.Vinicius Junior opened the scoring in the first half, tapping in a rebound from Antonio Rudiger's header. Rudiger's subsequent header struck the crossbar and bounced off Celta goalkeeper Vicente Guaita into the net, effectively sealing the win for Madrid.Guaita's miscommunication with Carlos Dominguez led to another own goal, as the defender inadvertently bundled Vinicius' cross into his own net. Arda Guler, making his first appearance since returning from injury, added a fourth goal in stoppage time.Despite the absence of suspended Jude Bellingham, Madrid controlled the match and played with greater intensity than in their recent 1-1 draw against RB Leipzig in the Champions League.Vinicius, who was booked in that game for a confrontation, was again involved in a heated exchange with Oscar Mingueza on Sunday. Manager Carlo Ancelotti acknowledged the incident but emphasized that it was a result of frustration and that he would continue to address the issue with Vinicius.Madrid's victory extends their unbeaten streak in La Liga to 22 games and puts them eight points clear of reigning champions Barcelona. Celta Vigo, meanwhile, remain in the relegation zone, just two points above the bottom three.In other La Liga action, Athletic Bilbao boosted their Champions League hopes with a 2-0 win at Las Palmas, while Villarreal came from behind twice to defeat Real Betis 3-2. Alaves edged out Rayo Vallecano 1-0 in the early game.

Vinicius Junior's brace rescued Real Madrid from a potential defeat, salvaging a 2-2 draw against Valencia at the Mestalla on Sunday. The hosts stunned the visitors with two goals in quick succession during the first half. Hugo Duro headed in Fran Perez's shot, while Roman Yarermchuk capitalized on Dani Carvajal's loose pass to score into an empty net.Vinicius ignited Madrid's comeback just before halftime, reducing the deficit with a close-range finish. He completed his brace in the 76th minute, heading home from close range to level the score. The match remained a thrilling affair until the final whistle, with both teams pushing for a winner.In a dramatic climax, Jude Bellingham thought he had secured victory for Valencia with a header in the dying moments. However, the referee blew the whistle for full-time before the cross entered the box, nullifying the goal. Madrid players protested vehemently, but the decision stood. Amid the chaos, Bellingham was shown a red card for his protests.Vinicius' return to the Mestalla was marked by a hostile reception from the home fans. He was racially abused last season at the same stadium, and on Sunday, he faced chants of "Vinicius is stupid" and constant booing.In response, Vinicius celebrated his first goal by raising his fist towards the Valencia fans. After his equalizer, he cupped his ears, seemingly asking for more from the jeering crowd.Despite the adversity, Vinicius remained unfazed and played a pivotal role in Madrid's comeback. His performance underlined his resilience and determination, proving that he is not easily deterred by hostile environments.Madrid's draw maintains their seven-point lead at the top of the La Liga standings. They are now nine points clear of Barcelona, who have a game in hand.