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Real Madrid Hosts Real Sociedad. Everton Faces Arsenal in Premier League

Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham (C-L) participates in his team's training session at sports city of Valdebebas, Madrid, central Spain, 16 September 2023. (EPA)
Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham (C-L) participates in his team's training session at sports city of Valdebebas, Madrid, central Spain, 16 September 2023. (EPA)
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Real Madrid Hosts Real Sociedad. Everton Faces Arsenal in Premier League

Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham (C-L) participates in his team's training session at sports city of Valdebebas, Madrid, central Spain, 16 September 2023. (EPA)
Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham (C-L) participates in his team's training session at sports city of Valdebebas, Madrid, central Spain, 16 September 2023. (EPA)

A look at what’s happening in European soccer on Sunday:

SPAIN

Real Madrid hosts Real Sociedad with Jude Bellingham leading the Spanish league with five goals since the 20-year-old England midfielder joined the club. Madrid will still be without the injured Vinícius Júnior. Madrid opens its Champions League group stage against Union Berlin on Wednesday at home. Madrid has won all four games it has played and entered the round as the league leader.

Sociedad's Japan forward Takefusa Kubo has scored three goals this campaign. Villarreal’s new coach Jose “Pacheta” Martín debuts at home against Almeria after he replaced the fired Quique Setién. Sevilla hosts Las Palmas whose team had to make the trip from the Canary Islands in two separate flights after the club said 15 players missed the first flight. Osasuna is at Getafe.

ENGLAND

Everton, which is set to come under new ownership, has a chance to get out of the relegation zone of the Premier League when it faces undefeated Arsenal at Goodison Park. It's not an easy task. The Gunners rallied to beat Manchester United 3-1 in their last game. Bournemouth hosts Chelsea in the early game with both clubs struggling so far this season.

ITALY

Roma is still searching for its first win of the season and it hosts newly promoted Empoli, which has lost its opening three matches back in Serie A. Roma has just one point. Roma coach Jose Mourinho confirmed that Romelu Lukaku and Paulo Dybala will both start, with the two strikers playing together for the first time.

Promoted Cagliari also has just one point and Claudio Ranieri’s side hosts Udinese. Lecce, which is surprisingly fourth, can move level with second-place Juventus with a win at Monza. Atalanta is a point behind Lecce and visits Fiorentina. Frosinone hosts Sassuolo.

GERMANY

Three of the four teams in Bundesliga action haven't yet won a game this season. Borussia Monchengladbach plays at last-place Darmstadt with both teams winless. Heidenheim, which also has yet to win a league game, hosts midtable Werder Bremen in the day's other match.

FRANCE

Unbeaten Monaco looks to strengthen its lead with victory at midtable Lorient. Monaco has been scoring freely so far this season under coach Adi Hütter, with 13 goals in the first four matches. Marseille is also unbeaten and can jump to at least second place with a home win against Toulouse at Stade Velodrome, which has been hosting Rugby World Cup matches. Also, struggling Lyon desperately needs a home win against promoted Le Havre.

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Sports

Three Things We Learned from the Sao Paulo Grand Prix

Max Verstappen of Red Bul celebrates his second place in the 2026 Formula One Grand Prix of Sao Paulo at the Interlagos racetrack in Sao Paulo, Brazil, 08 November 2026. (EPA)
Max Verstappen of Red Bul celebrates his second place in the 2026 Formula One Grand Prix of Sao Paulo at the Interlagos racetrack in Sao Paulo, Brazil, 08 November 2026. (EPA)
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Three Things We Learned from the Sao Paulo Grand Prix

Max Verstappen of Red Bul celebrates his second place in the 2026 Formula One Grand Prix of Sao Paulo at the Interlagos racetrack in Sao Paulo, Brazil, 08 November 2026. (EPA)
Max Verstappen of Red Bul celebrates his second place in the 2026 Formula One Grand Prix of Sao Paulo at the Interlagos racetrack in Sao Paulo, Brazil, 08 November 2026. (EPA)

Lando Norris won the race and newly-crowned world champion Kimi Antonelli's Mercedes clinched the teams' title, but it was Max Verstappen who delivered the loudest message for 2027 and beyond.

In his in-laws' homeland, Red Bull's 29-year-old Dutchman delivered a now-familiar bravura drive from 21st on the grid to second behind McLaren's 26-year-old Briton and ahead of his team-mate Isack Hadjar.

After a tempestuous Interlagos race, AFP Sport looks at three things we learned from Sunday's dramatic Sao Paulo Grand Prix:

Relaxed Verstappen eyes fifth title

With his eighth consecutive podium and 10th in 11 outings, the four-time champion confirmed he is not only a man for all seasons, and circuits, but also that he and Red Bull will be the team to beat next year.

Confident in his car and team after a year of upheaval following the departure of Christian Horner, Verstappen is back to his best, if not in even better shape thanks to a settled family life and relaxed approach to his work.

During Saturday's 90-minute stoppage for rain in qualifying, he retreated to rescue some fun from what he called "a wasted day" as he knew that wherever he qualified he would start Sunday's race from the back of the grid.

So, while others studied computer screens and analyzed data, he watched English football on television.

"A lot of different games," he said.

"But Nottingham Forest and Manchester City was the last one before I got back into the car. It was 3-1 and, actually, I saw a great goal just before I climbed in."

It demonstrated how easily Verstappen glides from racer to normal bloke.

On Sunday, he gave his helmet to Ole Schack, the departing front-end mechanic for his car and a Red Bull lifer after 20 years. He had been busy as Verstappen had a new power unit fitted and took a penalty.

Speaking of Schack, who is returning to Denmark for a quieter life, Verstappen was succinct. "He's unbelievable."

In return, the mechanic said: "Max is an incredibly relaxed guy when he's not in the car. He enjoys a laugh and he's great to be around.

"He's like Ronaldo or Messi. But in an F1 car, he has that little bit extra that you simply cannot teach."

No longer the "Mad Max" of his early Red Bull years, this matured version is a master of his craft and ready for more success with a team-mate who offers serious support.

Norris signals McLaren can challenge

Norris was his usual self-effacing self after his 14th career win, signaling that McLaren's revised car was capable of fighting at the front again after an inconsistent season.

It was only his third win this year -- all since July -- after seven on the way to the drivers' title last year.

"It's certainly up there with the best I've had," he said before playing down the outgoing champion team's chances next year.

"The stats show we are generally a tenth or two off the top and the upgrades work. But it's still not enough."

If Oscar Piastri, who parted company with his manager Mark Webber on Monday, returns to his 2025 form, McLaren could go close to Mercedes and revitalized Red Bull next year, but Ferrari need a late-season boost to stay in touch.

Lawson shows character

Liam Lawson continued to punch above his and Racing Bulls' weight by finishing seventh after Ferrari's Charles Leclerc was penalized five seconds for colliding with him -- to boost his hopes of retaining his seat.

Left in limbo by the Red Bull-owned team, Lawson has shown his likeable character with a run of five points-scoring finishes and sits ninth in the drivers' standings.

Yet Racing Bulls decline to give him a new contract.

Sometimes, the cheerful 24-year-old New Zealander recognized, F1 works in curious -- commercial or political -- ways.

"I'm just trying to enjoy driving the car because with everything else that is going on, I don't really know what else I'm meant to do."

Sports

Convincing Barcelona Comeback Win Answers Doubts Over Flick’s Approach

Barcelona's Hansi Flick reacts during the LaLiga EA Sports game played between Atletico de Madrid and FC Barcelona at Riyadh Air Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid, Spain, 08 November 2026. (EPA)
Barcelona's Hansi Flick reacts during the LaLiga EA Sports game played between Atletico de Madrid and FC Barcelona at Riyadh Air Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid, Spain, 08 November 2026. (EPA)
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Convincing Barcelona Comeback Win Answers Doubts Over Flick’s Approach

Barcelona's Hansi Flick reacts during the LaLiga EA Sports game played between Atletico de Madrid and FC Barcelona at Riyadh Air Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid, Spain, 08 November 2026. (EPA)
Barcelona's Hansi Flick reacts during the LaLiga EA Sports game played between Atletico de Madrid and FC Barcelona at Riyadh Air Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid, Spain, 08 November 2026. (EPA)

After two damaging defeats ‌in late October undermined confidence in Hansi Flick's approach, a convincing second-half performance from Barcelona and a 2-1 win against Atletico Madrid helped to quell the doubts.

Paris St Germain and Real Madrid both had the answers to the questions that Barcelona asked of them last month.

Twice eliminated by Atletico Madrid in cup competitions last season, concerns were raised about the reliability of Flick's strategy against the strongest opposition. Even so, there was no serious suggestion that it could cause Flick to rethink his ideas.

Another defeat to Atletico would have had even the most fervent believers in ‌Flick's aggressive strategy ‌wavering. It might even have raised questions for ‌the ⁠Barcelona players.

During the ⁠opening exchanges at the Metropolitano on Sunday, Barcelona looked destined for a fate similar to the one they suffered against PSG and Real Madrid.

Yet Fermin Lopez scored twice as the visitors came from behind to win and retain a three-point lead at the top of LaLiga.

"Things got difficult in the first half, but we managed to turn it around and played ⁠a great match," Fermin told Movistar+.

"We weren't quite ‌at our sharpest, but the goal helped ‌us feel more at ease."

Atletico moved the ball with speed through Barcelona's press ‌and repeatedly found themselves bearing down on Joan Garcia's goal.

The response ‌from Barcelona showed that Flick's methods can still bring success against top opposition, even if they were spared a larger deficit by shoddy Atletico finishing.

"We knew the fans were a bit disappointed with the two defeats, but we've made ‌a statement," Fermin later told Barcelona club media.

"From 1-10, 10," said Flick in a press conference when asked ⁠how important ⁠the win was.

Barcelona wrestled back control from Atletico and once they had it, left little room for Diego Simeone's side to respond.

The home side made a host of changes in the second half, but none had any impact on the pattern of the game, which was dictated by Barcelona.

Flick's side moved fluidly, escaping Atletico's clutches and finding space to play in. Without the ball, Barcelona were equally impressive, swiping possession back whenever they lost it.

The performance showed that Flick's Barcelona can control games as well as outscore opponents.

Barcelona go into the international break with a three-point advantage over rivals Real Madrid in the standings, but the true value of the victory may be measured in the minds of Flick's players.

Sports

Spain’s Yamal, Oyarzabal Out for Czech Nations League Clash

Barcelona's Spanish forward #10 Lamine Yamal applauds during a moment in remembrance of late Spanish footballer Jesus De Miguel during the Spanish league football match between Club Atletico de Madrid and FC Barcelona at Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid on November 8, 2026. (AFP)
Barcelona's Spanish forward #10 Lamine Yamal applauds during a moment in remembrance of late Spanish footballer Jesus De Miguel during the Spanish league football match between Club Atletico de Madrid and FC Barcelona at Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid on November 8, 2026. (AFP)
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Spain’s Yamal, Oyarzabal Out for Czech Nations League Clash

Barcelona's Spanish forward #10 Lamine Yamal applauds during a moment in remembrance of late Spanish footballer Jesus De Miguel during the Spanish league football match between Club Atletico de Madrid and FC Barcelona at Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid on November 8, 2026. (AFP)
Barcelona's Spanish forward #10 Lamine Yamal applauds during a moment in remembrance of late Spanish footballer Jesus De Miguel during the Spanish league football match between Club Atletico de Madrid and FC Barcelona at Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid on November 8, 2026. (AFP)

Lamine Yamal and Mikel Oyarzabal will miss Spain's upcoming Nations League match against the Czech Republic, the Spanish football federation (RFEF) said on Monday.

Barcelona's teenage winger Yamal "reported discomfort in his right knee" after their 2-1 win at Atletico Madrid in La Liga on Sunday.

Real Sociedad forward Oyarzabal "is in the final phase of a bout of flu", explained the federation.

"Both players will join the training camp in the coming days so they can be available to face England at the Metropolitano Stadium (on Sunday)," added the RFEF.

World champions Spain, who have already qualified for the Nations League quarter-finals, visit the Czechs on Thursday before hosting Thomas Tuchel's England in Madrid.