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Departing Mbappé Chases a Last Trophy with PSG in French Cup Final against Resurgent Lyon

FILED - 07 May 2024, France, Paris: PSG's Kylian Mbappe reacts during the UEFA Champions League semi final between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Borussia Dortmund. Photo: Robert Michael/dpa
FILED - 07 May 2024, France, Paris: PSG's Kylian Mbappe reacts during the UEFA Champions League semi final between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Borussia Dortmund. Photo: Robert Michael/dpa
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Departing Mbappé Chases a Last Trophy with PSG in French Cup Final against Resurgent Lyon

FILED - 07 May 2024, France, Paris: PSG's Kylian Mbappe reacts during the UEFA Champions League semi final between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Borussia Dortmund. Photo: Robert Michael/dpa
FILED - 07 May 2024, France, Paris: PSG's Kylian Mbappe reacts during the UEFA Champions League semi final between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Borussia Dortmund. Photo: Robert Michael/dpa

This time, it's really the end.
After missing Paris Saint-Germain’s last two league games, Kylian Mbappé should start in the French Cup final against Lyon on Saturday for his final match in a PSG shirt, The Associated Press.
The forward, who is widely expected to join Real Madrid, was given some free time by coach Luis Enrique last weekend and was spotted enjoying himself at the Cannes film festival while PSG wrapped up a 12th victorious league campaign in less glamorous settings.
Mbappé told PSG in February he will leave at the end of the season — Saturday night — and confirmed it this month. Over the last three months, Enrique has tried to make PSG less reliant on his star striker, arguing that he needed to start thinking about the future knowing that Mbappé would not be around next season.
Although Enrique has yet to decide on his starting XI for Saturday's final at Lille's Stade Pierre-Mauroy, snubbing Mbappé, or even leaving him on the bench, would equate to a slap in his face.
Mbappé is the club’s all-time top scorer with 256 and has won six Ligue 1 titles and three French Cups with PSG. Although he didn't lead the club to a Champions League trophy in his seven seasons in Paris, he largely contributed to helping PSG reach a respected status on the continent.
Leaving him on the sidelines on the night he could cap his PSG journey with yet another title seems highly unlikely, although Enrique has warned his players he will select only those who deserve it.
“We’ll see who’s ready, who’s not ready (to play), who wants to, who doesn’t want to,” Enrique said.
Like Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé did not play against Nice and Metz in the closing league rounds but should be back to face a resurgent Lyon side led by former Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette.
LYON MASTER OF COMEBACKS
Lyon has been in impressive form in recent months and Enrique can't afford to take the five-time Cup champion lightly.
Since Pierre Sage was appointed coach last November when Lyon was at the bottom of the league, the team has been transformed into a winning machine. After sealing European soccer next season, Lyon can cap a remarkable second half of the season with its first silverware since 2012.
One of Lyon's main assets has been its capacity to come from behind under Sage's guidance. According to French league statistics, Lyon has secured 27 points from a losing position, with only Liverpool and Girona doing better in the top five leagues. Lyon substitutes have contributed 18 goals since Sage's appointment.

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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.