Sevilla Strike Late to Boost Survival Hopes, Celta Edge Atletico

Sevilla's players celebrate their victory following the Spanish La Liga match between Sevilla FC and Espanyol in Seville, Spain, 09 May 2026. (EPA)
Sevilla's players celebrate their victory following the Spanish La Liga match between Sevilla FC and Espanyol in Seville, Spain, 09 May 2026. (EPA)
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Sevilla Strike Late to Boost Survival Hopes, Celta Edge Atletico

Sevilla's players celebrate their victory following the Spanish La Liga match between Sevilla FC and Espanyol in Seville, Spain, 09 May 2026. (EPA)
Sevilla's players celebrate their victory following the Spanish La Liga match between Sevilla FC and Espanyol in Seville, Spain, 09 May 2026. (EPA)

Akor Adams snatched Sevilla a late 2-1 victory over Espanyol in La Liga on Saturday to increase their chances of avoiding relegation.

Celta Vigo earned a 1-0 win at Atletico Madrid to keep their ambitions of qualifying for the Champions League alive, which were further boosted by Real Betis's 2-2 draw at Real Sociedad.

Nigeria forward Adams's 91st minute strike propelled record seven-time Europa League winners Sevilla provisionally up to 12th, three points clear of the relegation zone.

Espanyol, now without a win in 18 league matches -- all of 2026 to date -- sit 15th, two points above the drop zone, after a bad-tempered match with 10 yellow cards.

Tyrhys Dolan slammed home for Espanyol early in the second half at Sevilla's Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan stadium, before the hosts hit back.

Sevilla defender Andres Castrin scored to level in the 82nd minute with the help of some poor handling by Espanyol goalkeeper Marko Dmitrovic.

In stoppage time Adams pounced on a loose ball and produced a clinical finish to secure a crucial victory for Luis Garcia Plaza's team.

"This comeback, I think it brings us closer, closer to what we've been looking for," Castrin told Movistar.

"It was essential to win here today, to get the three points with these wonderful people (the fans).

"Thanks to them -- they have lifted us, have carried us, and you could really feel the atmosphere, how it influenced those final minutes when the goal comes at the end."

Earlier Alaves, 18th and one point from safety, drew 1-1 against Elche, 13th, who are not yet safe from the specter of relegation either.

At Atletico's Metropolitano stadium Borja Iglesias scored a fine goal for Celta, sixth, to help them keep pressure on Real Betis, fifth.

The hosts, with nothing left to play for this season after Champions League semi-final elimination by Arsenal this week, are fourth and already assured of playing in that competition again next season.

It was confirmed earlier this week that five Spanish sides will qualify for the Champions League from La Liga, guaranteeing Atletico a spot.

- 'Happy to be in the fight' -

Spain international Iglesias's neat chip helped Celta move within three points of Real Betis, who face Real Sociedad later on.

"Even in the toughest moments this team has kept on dreaming," Iglesias told DAZN.

"Obviously it's not easy to compete at this level, we're happy to be in this fight right now.

"If we keep on looking upwards, just imagine... I think we deserve it, and we'll try to get it."

Real Betis threw away a two-goal lead in a draw at Real Sociedad, leaving them four points ahead of Celta with three games to go.

Former Manchester United winger Antony missed two huge chances before eventually sending the Andalucians ahead with the hardest of his opportunities, curling home from outside the box.

Ez Abde scored a superb second for the visitors soon after half-time, surging in down the left and whipping a strike into the top corner.

Orri Oskarsson pulled one back for the Basques, eighth, and Mikel Oyarzabal levelled from the penalty spot in the 90th minute after Aitor Ruibal handled.

Ruibal was later sent off for a second yellow card for a foul as Betis left frustrated.

On Sunday, La Liga leaders Barcelona can wrap up back-to-back Spanish titles if they avoid defeat against arch-rivals Real Madrid in the Clasico at Camp Nou.



Galatasaray Crowned Turkish Champions

Galatasaray supporters celebrate after their team won the Turkish Super Lig soccer tournament at Taksim square in Istanbul, Türkiye, Saturday, May 9, 2026. (AP)
Galatasaray supporters celebrate after their team won the Turkish Super Lig soccer tournament at Taksim square in Istanbul, Türkiye, Saturday, May 9, 2026. (AP)
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Galatasaray Crowned Turkish Champions

Galatasaray supporters celebrate after their team won the Turkish Super Lig soccer tournament at Taksim square in Istanbul, Türkiye, Saturday, May 9, 2026. (AP)
Galatasaray supporters celebrate after their team won the Turkish Super Lig soccer tournament at Taksim square in Istanbul, Türkiye, Saturday, May 9, 2026. (AP)

Galatasaray secured their fourth consecutive Turkish league title on Saturday after a 4-2 home win over Antalyaspor.

The Istanbul club are four points ahead of arch-rivals Fenerbahce, who they beat 3-0 last month, with one match remaining.

Led by star striker Nigerian Victor Osimhen, Galatasaray have qualified directly for the Champions League again after making it to the knock-out round this year, notably routing Juventus along the way.

The most successful Turkish club with 26 titles had previously won four consecutive league titles in the late 1990s.

Without a title for twelve years, the longest drought in their history, Fenerbahce sacked their coach and sporting director the day after their derby defeat to Galatasaray.


Japan Lands Defending Champion Qatar in a Tough 2027 Asian Cup Group Draw

A screen displays the results of the final draw of the 2027 AFC Asian Cup during a ceremony in Diriyah, on the outskirts of Riyadh, on May 9, 2026. (AFP)
A screen displays the results of the final draw of the 2027 AFC Asian Cup during a ceremony in Diriyah, on the outskirts of Riyadh, on May 9, 2026. (AFP)
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Japan Lands Defending Champion Qatar in a Tough 2027 Asian Cup Group Draw

A screen displays the results of the final draw of the 2027 AFC Asian Cup during a ceremony in Diriyah, on the outskirts of Riyadh, on May 9, 2026. (AFP)
A screen displays the results of the final draw of the 2027 AFC Asian Cup during a ceremony in Diriyah, on the outskirts of Riyadh, on May 9, 2026. (AFP)

Four-time winner Japan was grouped with defending champion Qatar at the 2027 Asian Cup in the draw on Saturday.

Saudi Arabia will host the 24-team tournament for the first time from Jan. 7-Feb. 5.

The Asian Football Confederation will be hoping the competition will be held without any further complications.

The draw was originally set for April 11 but was postponed because of the conflict in the Middle East. The final field is still incomplete because the Lebanon-Yemen match was not played as scheduled on March 31 and has been postponed to June.

As well as Qatar, the champion in 2019 and 2023, Japan will take on Indonesia and Thailand in Group F.

“Japan is one of the leaders in Asian football, always,” Qatar coach Julen Lopetegui said. “They have quality players and we have to believe in ourselves.”

Saudi Arabia, which will also stage the 2034 World Cup, will face Kuwait, Oman and the Palestinian team in an all-West Asia group as it seeks to win the title for the first time since 1996.

"When we reach the Asian Cup in our country, we will be ready to reach the final and to win the title,” said Saudi Arabia coach Giorgios Donis, who was appointed in April to replace Herve Renard.

Uzbekistan and Jordan are preparing for their first World Cup appearances in June, and were drawn in Asian Cup Group B along with North Korea and Bahrain.

Iran will face Syria and China.

In Group D, Australia was drawn with another former champion in Iraq, led by former Socceroos coach Graham Arnold, as well as Tajikistan and Singapore, which has qualified for the tournament for the first time since 1984.

South Korea has not won the tournament since 1960 and will meet the United Arab Emirates, Vietnam and the winner of the Lebanon-Yemen match.

The top two from each of the six groups of four will progress to the round of 16 along with the four best third-placed teams.


Japan’s Mitoma Injured as World Cup Looms

Football - Premier League - Brighton & Hove Albion v Wolverhampton Wanderers - The American Express Community Stadium, Brighton, Britain - May 9, 2026 Brighton & Hove Albion's Kaoru Mitoma in action. (Reuters)
Football - Premier League - Brighton & Hove Albion v Wolverhampton Wanderers - The American Express Community Stadium, Brighton, Britain - May 9, 2026 Brighton & Hove Albion's Kaoru Mitoma in action. (Reuters)
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Japan’s Mitoma Injured as World Cup Looms

Football - Premier League - Brighton & Hove Albion v Wolverhampton Wanderers - The American Express Community Stadium, Brighton, Britain - May 9, 2026 Brighton & Hove Albion's Kaoru Mitoma in action. (Reuters)
Football - Premier League - Brighton & Hove Albion v Wolverhampton Wanderers - The American Express Community Stadium, Brighton, Britain - May 9, 2026 Brighton & Hove Albion's Kaoru Mitoma in action. (Reuters)

Japan's Kaoru Mitoma could face a battle to be fit for next month's World Cup after suffering an apparent hamstring injury while playing in the English Premier League on Saturday.

The winger limped off in the 58th minute of Brighton and Hove Albion's 3-0 win against Wolverhampton Wanderers after suddenly clutching the back of his left thigh while chasing a ball and going down.

Mitoma reportedly left the stadium on crutches which will be a huge worry for Japan head coach Hajime Moriyasu, who is due to name his World Cup squad on Friday.

"We have to wait for the scan, then we can clarify it," said Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler when asked by reporters about Mitoma's injury after the match.

"Of course, it didn't look great, but I'm a positive person and I stay positive regarding it.

"It looked like a hamstring injury, but let's wait if it's an injury or not."

Japan will begin their World Cup campaign against the Netherlands in Arlington, Texas on June 14.

They will also face Tunisia and Sweden in Group F.