Bellingham Claims Liga Leaders Real Madrid Clasico Win Over Barca

 Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham reacts after a La Liga soccer match between Real Madrid and Barcelona in Madrid, Spain, Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025. (AP)
Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham reacts after a La Liga soccer match between Real Madrid and Barcelona in Madrid, Spain, Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025. (AP)
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Bellingham Claims Liga Leaders Real Madrid Clasico Win Over Barca

 Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham reacts after a La Liga soccer match between Real Madrid and Barcelona in Madrid, Spain, Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025. (AP)
Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham reacts after a La Liga soccer match between Real Madrid and Barcelona in Madrid, Spain, Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025. (AP)

Jude Bellingham's goal helped Real Madrid beat Barcelona 2-1 to win a tense Clasico and move five points clear of their bitter rivals at the top of La Liga on Sunday.

Champions Barcelona won all four times the teams were pitted against each other last season but in his first Clasico as Real Madrid coach, Xabi Alonso snapped that run.

Kylian Mbappe, who later missed a penalty, fired Madrid in front and although Fermin Lopez levelled for the visitors at the Santiago Bernabeu, Bellingham netted a second for the hosts before half-time which proved decisive.

Barca playmaker Pedri was sent off in the final stages for a second yellow card as tensions spilled over in the Spanish capital.

Madrid's victory means they have won nine of their opening 10 league games and Alonso's side proved against Barca they can triumph on the big occasion, following their derby humbling by Atletico Madrid in September.

Hansi Flick's team were led on the touchline by his assistant Marcus Sorg, as the German coach was suspended following a red card last weekend as they scraped a victory over relegation-battling Girona.

Barcelona were without several regular starters, including Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski and Dani Olmo among others, while Lamine Yamal still does not appear fully fit after a groin injury but started.

The teenager wound up Madrid fans in the week by claiming Los Blancos "steal" and "complain" and his name was greeted with a chorus of jeers when read out before kick-off.

Barcelona had more of the ball in the first half, but it was largely sterile possession and Madrid created the most dangerous opportunities.

The hosts were awarded an early penalty when Yamal appeared to bring down Vinicius Junior. However, it was cancelled after a VAR review as it was the Brazilian initiated the contact.

Madrid fans' ire at the officials grew when Mbappe blasted home from outside the area, but the goal was ruled out for a millimetric offside against the French superstar.

Mbappe did not have long to wait before he could celebrate in earnest, after superb work by Bellingham sent him through on goal.

The forward, the division's top goalscorer, netted his 11th league goal of the campaign with a lethal low finish past Wojciech Szczesny.

The goalkeeper made a good save from Dean Huijsen, while Bellingham and Fede Valverde went close as Madrid took control.

Szczesny stopped efforts from Vinicius and Bellingham again, and it was against the run of play when Barcelona equalized.

Arda Guler gave away possession in a dangerous area and Marcus Rashford, playing in his first Clasico, crossed for Lopez to blast the visitors level in the 38th minute.

Bellingham struck Madrid's second five minutes later to give Los Blancos a deserved advantage at the interval.

The England international, who scored his first goal at the Bernabeu since April in midweek against Juventus, gleefully tapped home after Eder Militao nodded Vinicius's cross back into his path.

Madrid should have extended their lead at the start of the second half but Szczesny made a fine save to push out Mbappe's penalty, after Eric Garcia was penalized for handball.

Yamal, frustrated and struggling to make an impact on the game, sent a long-range shot high over the bar as Madrid closed ranks and kept the Catalans at a safe distance from their goal.

Madrid looked the more threatening in the final stages despite Barca needing to score, able to bring on Rodrygo Goes and Brahim Diaz, while Barca had little in the way of attacking reinforcements.

Sorg sent defender Ronald Araujo up front during nine minutes of stoppage time after he netted the winner as a makeshift striker against Girona, but the center-back could not trouble Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.

Pedri was sent off in the final seconds for a second yellow card for a late foul on Aurelien Tchouameni, sparking a brief sideline shoving match, while players from both sides rowed after the final whistle.



Bans Will Cost Mourinho 2 Games as Benfica Calls Punishment 'Unfair'

Benfica head coach José Mourinho (L) reacts during the Portuguese First League soccer match against FC Porto at Luz stadium in Lisbon, Portugal, 08 March 2026.  EPA/MIGUEL A. LOPES
Benfica head coach José Mourinho (L) reacts during the Portuguese First League soccer match against FC Porto at Luz stadium in Lisbon, Portugal, 08 March 2026. EPA/MIGUEL A. LOPES
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Bans Will Cost Mourinho 2 Games as Benfica Calls Punishment 'Unfair'

Benfica head coach José Mourinho (L) reacts during the Portuguese First League soccer match against FC Porto at Luz stadium in Lisbon, Portugal, 08 March 2026.  EPA/MIGUEL A. LOPES
Benfica head coach José Mourinho (L) reacts during the Portuguese First League soccer match against FC Porto at Luz stadium in Lisbon, Portugal, 08 March 2026. EPA/MIGUEL A. LOPES

Jose Mourinho is set to miss Benfica’s next two games as punishment for his red card and subsequent confrontation with a Porto assistant coach in last Sunday’s contentious “O Clássico."

The Portuguese soccer federation’s disciplinary council issued two decisions that effectively ban the 63-year-old Benfica manager from the team's next two matches.

Mourinho was handed a one-match ban for his red card late in Sunday's 2-2 draw. He received it for leaving his technical area and kicking a ball toward Porto’s substitutes’ bench in celebration of a goal. Mourinho said he had tried to kick it into the stands.

Mourinho, no stranger to controversy, also received an 11-day suspension for his exchange with Porto assistant coach Lucho Gonzalez, The Associated Press reported.

The one-game ban takes effect for Benfica's game Saturday at Arouca. The 11-day suspension would rule him out of the March 21 match against Vitoria.

Portuguese media noted that the punishments cannot be served concurrently.

Benfica said it will appeal Thursday night's rulings. It called Mourinho’s punishment “unfair and unjustified.”

The disciplinary council noted that Mourinho sparked the clash with Gonzalez by making a gesture with his index finger and thumb and repeatedly saying “you are small.” Gonzalez responded by calling Mourinho, who coached Porto to the Champions League title in 2004, “a traitor.”

Gonzalez received a one-game ban and an eight-day suspension.


Election Draws Spotlight as Barca Host Sevilla

 Barcelona's Lamine Yamal scores his side's first goal from the penalty spot during the Champions League round of 16 first leg soccer match between Newcastle United and Barcelona in Newcastle, England, Tuesday, March 10, 2026. (AP)
Barcelona's Lamine Yamal scores his side's first goal from the penalty spot during the Champions League round of 16 first leg soccer match between Newcastle United and Barcelona in Newcastle, England, Tuesday, March 10, 2026. (AP)
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Election Draws Spotlight as Barca Host Sevilla

 Barcelona's Lamine Yamal scores his side's first goal from the penalty spot during the Champions League round of 16 first leg soccer match between Newcastle United and Barcelona in Newcastle, England, Tuesday, March 10, 2026. (AP)
Barcelona's Lamine Yamal scores his side's first goal from the penalty spot during the Champions League round of 16 first leg soccer match between Newcastle United and Barcelona in Newcastle, England, Tuesday, March 10, 2026. (AP)

Barcelona welcome Sevilla on Sunday aiming to maintain their La Liga lead on Real Madrid, but the stakes are even higher off the field with the club's next president to be named that night.

Club members will vote for one of the two candidates, Joan Laporta or Victor Font, to determine the direction Barca head in the years to come.

Laporta, who resigned from his role as president a few weeks ago to begin his reelection campaign, is firm favorite to stay in charge.

Despite a year-long delay in doing so, Barcelona returned to their Camp Nou home a few months ago and on Sunday, the north stand will be opened for the first time.

The temporary capacity has been raised to nearly 63,000, with the end goal to host 105,000 once the top tier is finally completed.

Sevilla's visit comes in between Champions League last 16 ties against Newcastle, with Barca looking to build on this week's 1-1 away draw.

Having won a domestic treble last season but fallen just short in Europe, reaching the semi-finals, success in that competition is Barca's top objective this season. The Catalan giants have not won the Champions League since 2015.

As he did against Athletic Bilbao last weekend in La Liga, Hansi Flick may be inclined to rotate some of his squad to keep them fresh to face Newcastle, although injuries may limit his options.

One player on the way back is 21-year-old midfielder Gavi, who last played in August before suffering a knee injury. The once Real Betis youth player is hoping to be on the bench to face his former side's rivals.

Flick's team will also be out for revenge after Sevilla inflicted a heavy 4-1 defeat on them in October, their first of the league season.

Matias Almeyda's Sevilla are 14th, not completely safe from danger, and any points on the road at Camp Nou would be a bonus for them. They are unbeaten in five games but four of those have been draws.

Barcelona hold a four-point advantage on Los Blancos in second, which Alvaro Arbeloa's team will try to reduce on Saturday to intensify the title race.

Madrid, after thrashing Manchester City in the Champions League, host an Elche side in free-fall after a good start to the season, now sitting 17th and just one point above the drop zone.

One of the reasons Laporta is likely to retain his position is the performance of Flick's side since the German coach arrived in the summer of 2024.

Whether Barca shine or stumble against Sevilla on Sunday could influence some floating voters at the ballot boxes, with polls closing a few hours after the game.


Leverkusen Wrestle with Inconsistency as Brilliant Bayern Await

 Soccer Football - UEFA Champions League - Round 16 - First Leg - Bayer Leverkusen v Arsenal - BayArena, Leverkusen, Germany - March 11, 2026 Bayer Leverkusen players applaud their fans after the match. (Reuters)
Soccer Football - UEFA Champions League - Round 16 - First Leg - Bayer Leverkusen v Arsenal - BayArena, Leverkusen, Germany - March 11, 2026 Bayer Leverkusen players applaud their fans after the match. (Reuters)
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Leverkusen Wrestle with Inconsistency as Brilliant Bayern Await

 Soccer Football - UEFA Champions League - Round 16 - First Leg - Bayer Leverkusen v Arsenal - BayArena, Leverkusen, Germany - March 11, 2026 Bayer Leverkusen players applaud their fans after the match. (Reuters)
Soccer Football - UEFA Champions League - Round 16 - First Leg - Bayer Leverkusen v Arsenal - BayArena, Leverkusen, Germany - March 11, 2026 Bayer Leverkusen players applaud their fans after the match. (Reuters)

Unpredictable Bayer Leverkusen host Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich on Saturday, still battling the inconsistency which threatens to derail their top-four hopes.

The 2023-24 double winners have been a mixed bag this term and are still coming to terms with a close-season rebuild and the firing of coach Erik Ten Hag just two games into the campaign.

Leverkusen became the first team to avoid defeat against Arsenal in the Champions League this season in Wednesday's 1-1 last 16, first-leg draw.

When placed alongside their 2-0 win over Manchester City and a strong 2-2 home draw with Newcastle, those performances showed what Kasper Hjulmand's young side are capable of.

But domestically Leverkusen's progress has been undermined by lackluster showings against smaller teams -- and it may cost them a spot in next season's Champions League.

After dismantling RB Leipzig away in December, Leverkusen sat third and looked on track for the top four.

But Leverkusen have won just two of their past six Bundesliga matches and sit sixth, three points off the Champions League places.

Failing to secure Champions League football would be a major setback for a club who spent big in the summer, hoping to elevate themselves to a spot alongside Bayern and Dortmund in German football.

Even if the Bundesliga gets five Champions League spots, Leverkusen's chances hang in the balance, with Hoffenheim in third spot and both Stuttgart and Leipzig -- who play each other on Sunday -- above them in the table.

Facing Bayern in between matches against Premier League leaders Arsenal makes their task even harder.

"That's what we're here for. That's why we'll try to recover perfectly after each game and be 100 percent back, both physically and mentally," captain Robert Andrich said on Wednesday.

"We're looking forward to Bayern -- and also to heading to London."

Bayern have an 11-point buffer atop the table but have been hit by injuries.

Jamal Musiala, Alphonso Davies and Jonas Urbig joined Manuel Neuer and Hiroki Ito on the sidelines after picking up injuries in Tuesday's 6-1 Champions League demolition of Atalanta.

After missing two games with a knock, Harry Kane is set to return for Bayern.

He needs 12 goals in his remaining nine league games to beat Robert Lewandowski's single-season goalscoring record.

One to watch: Michael Olise

Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise scored two goals and laid on an assist in Tuesday's 6-1 Champions League win at Atalanta to continue his excellent season.

In a team packed full of attacking threats, Olise is a willing provider for Harry Kane and Luis Diaz, as well as being a goal threat himself.

Olise's achievements this year may have been overshadowed by Bayern's barnstorming form and Kane's pursuit of Lewandowski's record, but the France winger is on track for a milestone of his own.

In addition to 10 goals, Olise has 16 assists so far this league campaign -- five away from equaling Thomas Mueller's all-time Bundesliga record.

"When I'm in certain areas of the pitch the coach (Vincent Kompany) wants me to beat my man, to play, to shoot, to do what I want to do -- so I'd say I have the freedom in that sense, to do what I want," Olise told CBS.