عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Sports

Real Madrid Title Hopes Dented at Girona in Third Straight Draw

Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe gestures during the Spanish LaLiga soccer match between Girona FC and Real Madrid, in Girona, Spain, 30 November 2025. (EPA)
Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe gestures during the Spanish LaLiga soccer match between Girona FC and Real Madrid, in Girona, Spain, 30 November 2025. (EPA)
TT
TT

Real Madrid Title Hopes Dented at Girona in Third Straight Draw

Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe gestures during the Spanish LaLiga soccer match between Girona FC and Real Madrid, in Girona, Spain, 30 November 2025. (EPA)
Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe gestures during the Spanish LaLiga soccer match between Girona FC and Real Madrid, in Girona, Spain, 30 November 2025. (EPA)

Real Madrid were held to a third consecutive La Liga draw in a 1-1 tie at Girona on Sunday, allowing Barcelona to retain pole position.

Azzedine Ounahi fired the hosts into a surprise lead before half-time, with Kylian Mbappe earning Madrid a point from the penalty spot.

After Barcelona beat Alaves on Saturday to move top of the table, Madrid needed a victory at Girona to reclaim top spot but now sit second, a point behind the champions.

Earlier Alberto Moleiro helped Villarreal, third, move back ahead of fourth-place Atletico Madrid with a stoppage time winner in a 3-2 victory at Real Sociedad.

Real Madrid's draw increases the pressure on Madrid coach Xabi Alonso, after recent rumors suggesting his future is insecure in the Madrid dugout.

"We are up there, it's all very even, it's a long season and we have to continue," Alonso told reporters.

"I liked the reaction from the players. It was not enough to turn it around but we were close, and we have to continue with the unity we have, being self-critical enough, and wanting to win away from home."

Madrid travel to face Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday for a fourth consecutive league match on the road, a game moved because of the club's participation in the Spanish Super Cup in January.

"The table will be hard-fought, there will be lots of movement," added Alonso.

Mbappe and Arda Guler fired off target for Madrid early on in a hotly-contested but scrappy clash, in front of a raucous home crowd.

French superstar Mbappe had a goal ruled out for handball moments before Morocco international Ounahi fired Girona ahead, rifling home from just inside the area to stun their illustrious visitors.

Catalan minnows Girona, 18th, have twice beaten Real Madrid at Montilivi since making their top flight debut in 2017 and for a while it looked like they were going to manage it again.

Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois made a stunning save to tip away Vanat's drive across goal before Los Blancos fought back.

After having a goal disallowed for offside Vinicius was clumsily felled in the box by Hugo Rincon.

Mbappe smashed the resulting penalty into the bottom left corner past Gazzaniga's dive for his 14th La Liga goal of the campaign.

"Absolutely not the result we wanted tonight, but the league is still on and very long," wrote Mbappe on social media network Instagram.

"We need to change this dynamic and show who we are as a team."

Most Viewed

 
 
Sports

Carrick to Continue as Man United Head Coach Until 2028

(FILES) Manchester United's English interim head coach Michael Carrick applauds fans on the pitch after their final home appearance in the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on May 17, 2026. (Photo by Darren Staples / AFP)
(FILES) Manchester United's English interim head coach Michael Carrick applauds fans on the pitch after their final home appearance in the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on May 17, 2026. (Photo by Darren Staples / AFP)
TT
TT

Carrick to Continue as Man United Head Coach Until 2028

(FILES) Manchester United's English interim head coach Michael Carrick applauds fans on the pitch after their final home appearance in the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on May 17, 2026. (Photo by Darren Staples / AFP)
(FILES) Manchester United's English interim head coach Michael Carrick applauds fans on the pitch after their final home appearance in the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on May 17, 2026. (Photo by Darren Staples / AFP)

Manchester United have appointed Michael Carrick as their permanent manager on a contract until 2028, the Premier League club said on Friday, rewarding the former midfielder for the club's turnaround in fortunes in less than half a season.

The 44-year-old Englishman has guided United to 11 victories in 16 matches, including wins over Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea, to climb to third in the Premier League and seal a berth in next season's Champions League.

"From the moment that I arrived here 20 years ago, I felt the magic of Manchester United. Carrying the responsibility of leading our special football club fills me with immense pride," Reuters quoted Carrick as saying in ⁠a statement.

"Throughout the ⁠past five months, this group of players have shown they can reach the standards of resilience, togetherness and determination that we demand here.

"Now it's time to move forward together again, with ambition and a clear sense of purpose."

Initially appointed on an interim basis to replace Ruben Amorim, the former United midfielder has exceeded expectations and transformed the mood around Old Trafford, with the club's players backing ⁠him for the job.

Carrick, who served as caretaker manager in 2021 following Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's dismissal, made 464 appearances for United across all competitions, winning five Premier League titles and the Champions League in 2008.

His managerial experience includes a mixed stint at second-tier club Middlesbrough, where he initially did well after joining in October 2022 with the Championship side languishing in 21st place.

Carrick quickly turned things around, guiding them to a fourth-placed finish and the playoffs in his first season and they reached the League Cup semi-finals the following campaign.

However, Middlesbrough failed to earn promotion as they finished eighth and 10th in his last two seasons, leading to ⁠his dismissal in ⁠June last year.

United, who have 68 points, are guaranteed to finish third with a game to spare, ending their campaign with a trip to Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday.

"Michael has thoroughly earned the opportunity to continue leading our men's team," Jason Wilcox, the club's director of football, said.

"In the time he has been doing the role, we have seen positive results on the pitch, but more than that, an approach which aligns with the club's values, traditions and history.

"Michael's achievements in leading the club back to the Champions League should not be understated. He has forged a strong bond with the players and can be proud of the winning culture at Carrington and in the dressing room, which we are continuing to build."

Sports

Real Madrid Coach Alvaro Arbeloa Says Will Leave Post

Real Madrid's head coach Alvaro Arbeloa attends a press conference in Madrid, Spain, 22 May 2026. EPA/Javier Lizon
Real Madrid's head coach Alvaro Arbeloa attends a press conference in Madrid, Spain, 22 May 2026. EPA/Javier Lizon
TT
TT

Real Madrid Coach Alvaro Arbeloa Says Will Leave Post

Real Madrid's head coach Alvaro Arbeloa attends a press conference in Madrid, Spain, 22 May 2026. EPA/Javier Lizon
Real Madrid's head coach Alvaro Arbeloa attends a press conference in Madrid, Spain, 22 May 2026. EPA/Javier Lizon

Alvaro Arbeloa confirmed Friday he would leave his role as Real Madrid coach at the end of a trophyless season.

"Yes," Arbeloa said at a press conference when asked to confirm that he would not be coaching the team next season, amid widespread reports that veteran manager Jose Mourinho is returning to the club.

Los Blancos host Athletic Bilbao on Saturday at the Santiago Bernabeu in their final La Liga match of a turbulent campaign.

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez appointed Arbeloa to replace Xabi Alonso in January and he is set to be replaced himself by Portuguese veteran Mourinho.

Spaniard Arbeloa said he would not work as a member of Mourinho's staff if the Portuguese coach is appointed as his successor.

"Mou has a fantastic technical team, he's got good people around him, if he comes to Madrid he will come with his team," said Arbeloa.

"There's no chance that I would be with him. Then, my future... from Monday I'll think about that."

Arbeloa, who played at Madrid between 2009-2016 and later coached there at youth level said he hoped this match was a "see you later" rather than goodbye.

"I hope it's a see you later... I've always considered this my home, I've belonged to Madrid for 20 years in various roles," said Arbeloa.

"It will be my last game this season as coach of Real Madrid, I don't know if it will be the last game of my life as coach of Real Madrid.

"We never know. I'll try and enjoy it and try to get the win."

Sports

Five Stars Ready to Light Up the World Cup

France's Kylian Mbappe could break the all-time record for World Cup goals. FRANCK FIFE / AFP/File
France's Kylian Mbappe could break the all-time record for World Cup goals. FRANCK FIFE / AFP/File
TT
TT

Five Stars Ready to Light Up the World Cup

France's Kylian Mbappe could break the all-time record for World Cup goals. FRANCK FIFE / AFP/File
France's Kylian Mbappe could break the all-time record for World Cup goals. FRANCK FIFE / AFP/File

Form and fitness concerns are hanging over some of football's biggest names just three weeks before the World Cup kicks off.

AFP sports looks at five of the stars who must shoulder the burden of their nations' expectation in the first-ever 48-team finals spread across the United States, Mexico and Canada:

Kylian Mbappe (France)

Mbappe could become the all-time top goalscorer in World Cup history over the next few weeks, but will cross the Atlantic after a troubled time at Real Madrid.

The 27-year-old is yet to win a major trophy in two seasons at the Spanish giants despite his prolific goalscoring record, AFP said.

Mbappe's commitment has been questioned after he went on holiday while nursing a hamstring injury towards the end of the season.

A change of scenery on the international stage could be just what he needs as he aims to write more history on the global stage.

Mbappe took the tournament by storm as a teenager in France's 2018 World Cup win. He plundered another eight goals, including a hat-trick in the final, as Les Bleus missed out on penalties to Argentina four years ago.

He needs just four more to match Miroslav Klose's record of 16 World Cup goals.

Erling Haaland (Norway)

Haaland finally gets his first taste of a major international tournament after ending Norway's 28-year wait to reach the World Cup.

The Manchester City striker struck 16 times in eight games during Norway's flawless qualifying campaign that included two thrashings of Italy.

That took his tally to a remarkable 55 goals in 49 international appearances.

Haaland is the poster boy for a golden generation of Norwegian players, including Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard, that have been tipped as dark horses.

But Norway will need their star striker in top form after being handed a tough draw alongside France and African champions Senegal in Group I.

Vinicius Junior (Brazil)

Neymar's return to the Brazil squad has caught the imagination, but it is Vincius' performance that will likely determine whether Carlo Ancelotti's men end up with a sixth star on the famous yellow jersey.

He and Mbappe have had to share the spotlight in Madrid, but the World Cup gives Vinicius the chance to become a national hero in Brazil and win the Ballon d'Or he craves.

Vinicius and his club team-mates famously boycotted the ceremony after he was overlooked for Manchester City's Rodri despite scoring in the Champions League final two years ago.

But his record for Brazil is patchy. He scored just once in the World Cup four years ago and has only eight goals in 47 caps overall.

Harry Kane (England)

England's captain and all-time record goalscorer enters probably his last shot at World Cup glory off the back of a stunning season for Bayern Munich.

Kane scored 58 goals in 50 games as Bayern romped to the Bundesliga title and narrowly missed out on the Champions League final.

At international level he has spearheaded the rise of the Three Lions to serial contenders, but is yet to end his nation's 60-year wait to win a major tournament.

Kane has often been hampered physically at international tournaments, exhausted by his exertions during the club season.

However, this time his minutes have been managed by Bayern for months as they prioritized a deep run in the Champions League, with the Bundesliga long since won.

Lamine Yamal (Spain)

The breakout star of Spain's Euro 2024 triumph, Yamal's hopes of taking the world by storm will depend on his recovery from a hamstring injury.

The 18-year-old has not featured since suffering the injury for Barcelona on April 22 and could reportedly miss Spain's first two group games against Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia.

After a slow start to the season, Yamal had been in blistering form prior to his injury, scoring 24 goals in all as Barca cruised to a second consecutive La Liga title.

Spain will be confident of negotiating the early stages of the tournament before unleashing the player many regard as the best in the world for the latter stages.