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Benzema Stays Hot, Leads Real Madrid to Victory in Opener

Karim Benzema, left, celebrates with team mates after scoring his side's opening goal. (AP)
Karim Benzema, left, celebrates with team mates after scoring his side's opening goal. (AP)
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Benzema Stays Hot, Leads Real Madrid to Victory in Opener

Karim Benzema, left, celebrates with team mates after scoring his side's opening goal. (AP)
Karim Benzema, left, celebrates with team mates after scoring his side's opening goal. (AP)

Karim Benzema picked up from where he left off last season, playing a decisive role for Real Madrid once again.

Benzema led Madrid in its Spanish league opener on Saturday by scoring twice in the team’s comfortable 4-1 win at Alavés.

“Benzema is more than just a striker, he is a very complete player,” said Carlo Ancelotti, who began his second stint as Madrid coach. “He is a much more complete player than when I coached him a few years ago.”

Madrid also got a goal from Nacho Fernández, one of the defenders stepping in to replace veteran captain Sergio Ramos, who left after 16 seasons because the club didn’t want to extend his contract.

“This has just started, there’s still a long way to go, but it was important to begin with a victory like this,” Fernández said.

Benzema, the team’s top player and scoring leader last season under Zinedine Zidane, put Madrid ahead with a shot from inside the area after a clever backheel touch by Eden Hazard in the 48th minute. The France striker added his second from close range in the 62nd, six minutes after Fernández had found the net following a cross from Luka Modric.

Alavés pulled one back with a penalty kick converted by Joselu Mato in the 65th, and substitute Vinícius Júnior completed the scoring with a header two minutes into stoppage time.

The result kept Madrid unbeaten in league openers since 2008. It went without a title last season before Zidane quit and Ancelotti was re-hired. The Italian coach had won four titles with Madrid in his first stint with the club from 2013-15.

About 4,000 fans were at the Mendizorroza Stadium as Spanish health authorities allowed the league to restart with crowds of up to 40% of the venues’ capacity.

It was Madrid’s first of three straight away matches. The team’s first home game is scheduled for September, when it hopes to have the field of the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium ready. The venue is undergoing renovation but will continue hosting matches while construction work goes on.

In addition to Ramos, who joined Paris Saint-Germain, Madrid also lost defender Raphael Varane to Manchester United.

Central defender David Alaba, who joined from Bayern Munich, played as a left back on Saturday because of the absences of Ferland Mendy and Marcelo. Fernández and Éder Militão, reserves last season, started in the middle of the defense.

Madrid also was without veteran midfielder Toni Kroos because of an injury, with Federico Valverde playing in his position.

Ancelotti’s attack included Benzema, Hazard and Gareth Bale, who returned after a season on loan with Tottenham.

Alavés finished 16th last season, four points above the relegation zone.

On Sunday, Barcelona’s first season without Lionel Messi after nearly two decades starts with a home match against Real Sociedad. Defending champion Atlético Madrid opens at Celta Vigo.

Alfonso Espino scored seven minutes into second-half stoppage time to salvage Cádiz a 1-1 draw against Levante. The visitors had gone ahead with a goal from José Luis Morales in the 39th.

Promoted Mallorca took the lead against Real Betis with Brian Oliván scoring in the 25th but Juanmi Jiménez equalized for the visitors in the 59th.

Espanyol, which like Mallorca returned to the top flight after a one-year absence, drew 0-0 at Osasuna.

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Al-Arabi Wins Second Round of Saudi Toyota Drift Championship in Al-Ahsa

Al-Amri finished second and Yousef Bahuwairth third. The result reversed the first round, which Al-Amri won ahead of Al-Arabi - SPA
Al-Amri finished second and Yousef Bahuwairth third. The result reversed the first round, which Al-Amri won ahead of Al-Arabi - SPA
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Al-Arabi Wins Second Round of Saudi Toyota Drift Championship in Al-Ahsa

Al-Amri finished second and Yousef Bahuwairth third. The result reversed the first round, which Al-Amri won ahead of Al-Arabi - SPA
Al-Amri finished second and Yousef Bahuwairth third. The result reversed the first round, which Al-Amri won ahead of Al-Arabi - SPA

Saudi Arabia's Mohammed Al-Arabi won the Professional category in the second round of the 2026 Saudi Toyota Drift Championship in Al-Ahsa, setting up a title decider with Oman's Ahmed Al-Amri in the final round.

Al-Amri finished second and Yousef Bahuwairth third. The result reversed the first round, which Al-Amri won ahead of Al-Arabi.

In the Semi-Professional category, Fahad bin Rubayyi won, ahead of Sultan Al-Aqili and Saud Al-Abbasi. In the Amateur category, Qaswara Hammam took first place, followed by Amir Al-Aqili and Osama Al-Asiri, SPA reported.

The round drew a large crowd and 47 drivers: 19 Professional, 19 Semi-Professional, and nine Amateur. It was supervised by the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation, managed by Bakhashab Motorsport, and held in partnership with Jameel Motorsport.

The third and final round, which will decide the 2026 champions in all three categories, takes place in Jeddah on November 26 and 27.
The championship is part of the federation's efforts to develop motorsport in the Kingdom, support national talent, and strengthen safety standards.

Sports

'Weeks, Not Days' in Kompany Recovery, Say Bayern

FILE - Bayern's head coach Vincent Kompany arrives for the German Bundesliga soccer match between FC Augsburg and FC Bayern Munich in Augsburg, Germany, Oct. 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader, File)
FILE - Bayern's head coach Vincent Kompany arrives for the German Bundesliga soccer match between FC Augsburg and FC Bayern Munich in Augsburg, Germany, Oct. 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader, File)
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'Weeks, Not Days' in Kompany Recovery, Say Bayern

FILE - Bayern's head coach Vincent Kompany arrives for the German Bundesliga soccer match between FC Augsburg and FC Bayern Munich in Augsburg, Germany, Oct. 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader, File)
FILE - Bayern's head coach Vincent Kompany arrives for the German Bundesliga soccer match between FC Augsburg and FC Bayern Munich in Augsburg, Germany, Oct. 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader, File)

Bayern Munich expect coach Vincent Kompany to miss an extended period as he continues his hospital treatment for a virus after collapsing on the training pitch on Friday.

Speaking at a press conference on Saturday, Bayern sporting director Max Eberl confirmed Kompany was still hospitalized in a "stable" condition.

Kompany's English assistant coach Aaron Danks will replace the 40-year-old for Sunday's Bundesliga match at Freiburg.

Eberl told reporters "examinations were continuing" to determine the nature of the former Manchester City and Belgium captain's condition, with a recovery timeframe yet to be determined.

"Vinnie will be given all the time he needs. We're not starting to put together any timeframes.

"We need to firstly figure out what it is and then we'll discuss calmly what recovery time is to be. We won't be talking about days, but weeks. We need to all be clear on that."

Taking Saturday's press conference in Kompany's absence, Danks said he had spoken with the former center-back briefly on Friday but only to wish him well.

"I explained to him that we wouldn't be having no football conversations. It was just checking in on his health and making sure he's OK.

"All the football operations are in our hands and we'll work together as a team to keep the club moving forward."

Bayern's second team's game was postponed after Kompany's collapse but Eberl said the club did not consider trying to postpone Sunday's Bundesliga game.

"I think the greatest joy for Vinnie would be for us to play well tomorrow and, ideally, get a positive result," AFP quoted Eberl as saying.

"That would probably be one of the best things we could do to help him recover."

Danks confirmed Germany captain Joshua Kimmich, who has been on bereavement leave since Tuesday, would also miss Sunday's game.

Kompany returned to the dugout for Wednesday's home clash with Arsenal despite missing the pre-match press conference due to the virus.

Speaking after the Arsenal game, Kompany said his body reacted after he tried to push through the illness.

"I caught a pretty nasty virus last week, and of course I didn't listen to my body -- and then at some point my body just said, 'enough is enough!'"

The defending champions sit on top of the Bundesliga table ahead of Sunday's game, one point above Freiburg.

Their next Champions League match is on November 3 in Madrid against Atletico.

Sports

Marquez Wins Thrilling Australian MotoGP Sprint to Retake Championship Lead

Ducati Lenovo Team's Spanish rider Marc Marquez (R) leads BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP's Spanish rider Alex Marquez (C) and Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team's Italian rider Fabio Di Giannantonio (L) during the MotoGP sprint race at the Australian MotoGP Grand Prix on Phillip Island on October 24, 2026. (Photo by Paul Crock / AFP)
Ducati Lenovo Team's Spanish rider Marc Marquez (R) leads BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP's Spanish rider Alex Marquez (C) and Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team's Italian rider Fabio Di Giannantonio (L) during the MotoGP sprint race at the Australian MotoGP Grand Prix on Phillip Island on October 24, 2026. (Photo by Paul Crock / AFP)
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Marquez Wins Thrilling Australian MotoGP Sprint to Retake Championship Lead

Ducati Lenovo Team's Spanish rider Marc Marquez (R) leads BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP's Spanish rider Alex Marquez (C) and Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team's Italian rider Fabio Di Giannantonio (L) during the MotoGP sprint race at the Australian MotoGP Grand Prix on Phillip Island on October 24, 2026. (Photo by Paul Crock / AFP)
Ducati Lenovo Team's Spanish rider Marc Marquez (R) leads BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP's Spanish rider Alex Marquez (C) and Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team's Italian rider Fabio Di Giannantonio (L) during the MotoGP sprint race at the Australian MotoGP Grand Prix on Phillip Island on October 24, 2026. (Photo by Paul Crock / AFP)

Ducati's Marc Marquez emerged victorious in an electrifying battle with championship rival Jorge Martin before going on to win the Australian Grand Prix sprint from pole position on Saturday and reclaim the MotoGP championship lead.

Victory moved seven-times MotoGP champion Marquez up to 365 points in the championship standings, 10 points ahead of Martin, who did not finish the sprint after suffering a gruesome crash in the eighth lap.

The reigning champion can further extend that lead in Sunday's race, with Martin declared unfit after breaking his wrist in the crash.

After a couple of wet qualifying sessions earlier in the day, the sprint began on a dry track at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, with dark clouds looming overhead.

Pole-sitter Marquez shot off the line and held on to his lead, though his start was matched by title rival Martin, who barreled past Alex Marquez and Johann ⁠Zarco into second ⁠place from fourth.

Without the rain to hinder him, Martin squeezed every ounce of pace he could out of his Aprilia on the circuit's swooping corners and stole the lead from Marquez three times, only to overplay his hand and quickly give it away on every occasion.

The 2024 champion continued to push, and his overzealousness proved to be his undoing in the eighth lap, as his bike slid out from under him and he went hurtling into the gravel at high speed.

"It was a title battle. Of course I gave everything. I was ⁠aggressive and he was faster than me, but I tried to defend in the best way possible," Reuters quoted Marquez as saying after his win.

"There were nice overtakes, limit overtakes. And in the end, both of us were riding on the limit. Both of us deserved the victory because we are pushing a lot. But, you know, racing is like it is.

"Today, it was on my side, but, this (season) is super long, so, keep calm, keep going, and yeah, happy for today."

Martin was carried away from the site of the crash on a stretcher as Aprilia confirmed that he had been taken to the medical center for evaluation.

The Spaniard was later pictured walking out of the medical center with his arm in a sling and his wrist wrapped up tightly.

"Jorge Martin has been declared unfit to race after suffering a fracture to ⁠his right wrist! Wishing ⁠Jorge a speedy recovery," MotoGP said in a statement on social media, according to Reuters.

Martin will also be a doubt for next week's Malaysian Grand Prix.

Trackhouse Aprilia rider Raul Fernandez, who won the Australian Grand Prix in 2025, was also ruled out of Sunday's race due to inflammation of tissue around a finger fracture that he sustained at the Indonesian Grand Prix this month.

"It’s not how I wanted to say goodbye to Phillip Island, but my finger has said it’s enough. I need to take a break and recover so I can come back at 100%," Fernandez said on social media.

Marquez's brother Alex of Gresini Racing finished second, with Fabio Di Giannantonio (VR46 Racing) completing the podium.

"It was quite dramatic. For me, I had the best seat, sitting in the third place (behind Marc Marquez and Martin)," Alex said.

Martin's teammate Marco Bezzecchi finished in fourth place, keeping his outside shot at winning the title alive.

Home hero Jack Miller of Pramac Racing was eighth in the final sprint at Phillip Island, with the Australian Grand Prix moving to the streets of Adelaide next year.