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Tag: Real Madrid

  • Laliga: Real Madrid beat Levante 2-0 to secure first win under Arbeloa

    Laliga: Real Madrid beat Levante 2-0 to secure first win under Arbeloa

    Real Madrid manager Alvaro Arbeloa believes fan protests at the Bernabeu came from “people who don’t like” the club as his side beat Levante to move to within one point of La Liga leaders Barcelona.

    Madrid supporters waved white handkerchiefs before kick-off on Saturday and then aimed boos and whistles at players – in particular Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Jr and Federico Valverde – as well as president Florentino Perez.

    “I know the source of these chants and campaigns. They come from people who don’t like Real Madrid,” said Arbeloa.

    “It’s a pleasure to have a president who is the most important figure in the history of this club, alongside Santiago Bernabeu. 

    “He has achieved everything, and I know the source of these chants.”

    The former Liverpool and Real Madrid defender – who replaced Xabi Alonso as manager on Monday – was also targeted during the game.

    Second-half goals from Kylian Mbappe and Raul Asencio helped the 15-time European Cup winners seal a 2-0 victory at the end of a tumultuous week.

    “I’ve always respected the Bernabeu, I’ve been booed a lot too. It wasn’t a good week for us, and the fans have the right to express their anger,” added Arbeloa.

    “I don’t think booing at Vini will continue. I respect the Bernabeu crowd. Their demands motivate the players to give their best.”

    After a humiliating defeat in the Copa del Rey to second division side Albacete on Wednesday, Arbeloa restored Mbappe and Bellingham to the starting XI for his first La Liga match in charge.

    The unrest among supporters became clear in the opening 10 minutes when Bellingham was the subject of jeers from the stands despite driving his side towards goal.

    After managing only one shot on target in the first half, Arbeloa shuffled his pack at the break and called upon Arda Guler and Franco Mastantuono for the second half.

    In the 58th minute, Mbappe broke the deadlock from the penalty spot after drawing a foul from Adrian de la Fuente. 

    The France forward – who is La Liga’s top scorer this season with 19 goals – was one of a few players, along with 21-year-old forward Gonzalo Garcia, not to be jeered by the Real fans.

    Defender Asencio added a second for the hosts seven minutes later when he climbed highest to head home Guler’s corner.

    Real are next in action on Tuesday when they host Monaco in the Champions League.

  • Barcelona beat Real Madrid 3-2 with Raphinha’s late strike in Super Cup thriller

    Barcelona beat Real Madrid 3-2 with Raphinha’s late strike in Super Cup thriller

    Barcelona edged past Real Madrid in a five-goal thriller to win back-to-back Spanish Super Cup finals in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

    It marked a 16th triumph in the tournament for Hansi Flick’s side, with Barcelona also beating Los Blancos in last year’s final.

    Brazilian forward Raphinha’s floated shot in the 73rd minute proved to be the winner after a frantic ending to the first half.

    Three quick-fire goals in first-half stoppage time put the two on level terms at the break after Raphinha had opened the scoring, drilling into the bottom corner in the 36th minute.

    Read Also: Man United crash out of FA Cup after 2–1 loss to Brighton

    Vinicius Jr equalised two minutes into three of added time, nutmegging Jules Kounde on a brilliant run before sliding into the far corner to score his first Real goal in 17 games, since 4 October, 2025.

    Robert Lewandowski then clipped in off the post to restore Barca’s lead in the 49th minute.

    But Gonzalo Garcia hooked in three minutes later after a scramble in the box that saw Dean Huijsen’s header hit the bar, as Barca boss Flick protested the the half-time whistle should already have been blown.

    Frenkie de Jong was shown a straight red card in stoppage time after lunging in on Kylian Mbappe, who came on as a substitute having recovered from a knee injury.

    Late chances at both ends made for a nervy finale with Marcus Rashford shooting wide when clear, while Alvaro Carreras and then Raul Asencio both shot straight at goalkeeper Joan Garcia.

    But Barca held on to secure a second consecutive title for the first time since 2011.

    BBC

  • Wounded Barca, shaky Madrid need La Liga morale boost

    Wounded Barca, shaky Madrid need La Liga morale boost

    Spanish champions Barcelona and current league leaders Real Madrid are looking to build confidence this weekend in La Liga after chastening nights in the Champions League.

    Barca host Alaves  today while Madrid visit Girona on Sunday, as the top two aim to fend off in-form pair Atletico Madrid and Villarreal, who are hot on their tails.

    Barcelona suffered a morale-crushing 3-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge by Chelsea on Tuesday, while Real Madrid’s defence wobbled alarmingly in also conceding three at Greek side Olympiacos, although they managed to claim a 4-3 victory thanks to four goals from Kylian Mbappe.

    After the hefty loss in London, Barca coach Hansi Flick was left perplexed and scrabbling around for some positivity.

     “I see how we train, the quality, the intensity. It’s totally different than maybe six weeks ago,” he told reporters.

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     “Players are coming back, increasing the quality in the training. I have good feeling about that and am (feeling) positive.”

    The Chelsea defeat was the first time Flick’s Barca had failed to score in 2025.

    Raphinha has made a couple of substitute appearances on his way back from injury and the Brazilian may get to play a larger role when Alaves visit the reopened Camp Nou.

     “You can see I am happy that Raphinha is back again… Marcus (Rashford) is at his level after flu, Pedri will come (back from injury soon),” said Flick.

    Barca’s first Camp Nou match in two-and-a-half years was a 4-0 thumping of Athletic Bilbao last Saturday, and a similar performance against Alaves would help paper over some cracks in the short-term.

  • UCL: What to know as Liverpool welcome Real Madrid

    UCL: What to know as Liverpool welcome Real Madrid

    After drawing criticism for fielding a youthful, second-string lineup in the EFL Cup defeat to Crystal Palace, Liverpool manager Arne Slot had no choice but to deliver a statement victory against Aston Villa in the Premier League. Failure to do so would have only intensified speculation about his future at Anfield.

    Under pressure to halt a worrying run of results, the Dutchman avoided unwanted history—he could have become the first Liverpool boss to lose five straight Premier League games. Instead, he saw his team respond with a spirited performance. Mohamed Salah’s landmark 250th goal for the club set the tone before Ryan Gravenberch’s deflected effort sealed a much-needed 2–0 win on Merseyside.

    While Aston Villa contributed to their own downfall with defensive lapses, Liverpool’s individual and collective improvement was evident. The victory marked just their second win in eight matches across all competitions, signaling a potential turning point after a turbulent spell.

    One of those two wins came in Europe, where Liverpool thrashed Eintracht Frankfurt 5–1 on matchday three of the Champions League. That result lifted them into the top 10 of the league-phase standings, narrowly outside the automatic qualification spots for the last 16 on goal difference.

    However, consistency remains elusive. A poor showing against Galatasaray followed that Frankfurt triumph, before the Reds edged Atlético Madrid 3–2 at Anfield—a result that extended their remarkable run of 15 straight home victories in European group-stage or league-phase matches.

    Liverpool’s European record has been a mixed bag in recent seasons. Last term, Paris Saint-Germain ended their hopes of continental glory, but before that, the Reds famously beat Real Madrid 2–0 at Anfield to snap an eight-game losing streak against the Spanish giants.

    Both Carlo Ancelotti and Xabi Alonso have tasted defeat at Anfield in recent years—Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen side suffered a 4–0 thrashing in 2024—but Real Madrid’s current form under Ancelotti suggests they will arrive full of confidence.

    The Spanish champions have been near-flawless this season, winning 13 of their 14 matches in all competitions. Their only blemish remains a stunning 5–2 loss to Atlético Madrid. In Europe, they have swept aside Marseille, Kairat, and Juventus to make it three wins from three, while domestically, they lead the La Liga title race following a dramatic El Clasico victory over Barcelona and a 4–0 rout of Valencia.

    Despite being fifth among the Champions League’s perfect starters due to an inferior goal difference compared to PSG, Bayern Munich, Inter Milan, and Arsenal, Real Madrid’s pedigree in Europe speaks for itself. Recent history has shown that underestimating Los Blancos on the continental stage is a mistake few survive to repeat.

    Liverpool Champions League form:

    W L W

    Liverpool form (all competitions):

    L L W L L W

    Real Madrid Champions League form:

    W W W

    Real Madrid form (all competitions):

    W W W W W W

    Liverpool possible starting lineup:

    Mamardashvili; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Gakpo; Ekitike

    Read Also: Liverpool held meeting after Man Utd loss – Van Dijk

    Real Madrid possible starting lineup:

    Courtois; Alexander-Arnold, Militao, Huijsen, Carreras; Valverde, Tchouameni; Guler, Bellingham, Vinicius Jr; Mbappe

    What Time Does Liverpool vs. Real Madrid Kick Off?

    Location: Liverpool, England

    Stadium: Anfield

    Date: Tuesday, Nov. 4

    Kick-off Time: 8 p.m. GMT / 4 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. PT

    Referee: István Kovács (ROU)

    VAR: Bastian Dankert (GER)

    Bet Tip

    Both Teams To Score
    Over 1.5 

  • Vinicius Jr apologises to Real Madrid fans

    Vinicius Jr apologises to Real Madrid fans

    Real Madrid winger Vinicius Jr has apologised to supporters for his reaction to being substituted in Sunday’s fiery El Clasico win against Barcelona.

    Vinicius was taken off in the 72nd minute and expressed his frustration by going straight down the tunnel.

    The Brazilian later returned to the bench and, after his side’s 2-1 win, tried to confront Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal during unsavoury post-match scenes.

    “Today I want to apologise to all the Madridistas for my reaction when I was substituted in the Clasico,” Vinicius posted on X.

    “Just as I have already done in person during today’s training, I also want to apologise again to my team-mates, the club, and the president.

    Read Also: Critics continue to belittle me, says Vinicius Jr

    “Sometimes passion gets the better of me because I always want to win and help my team. My competitive character stems from the love I feel for this club and everything it represents.”

    Vinicius joined Real from Flamengo in 2018 for £38.7m and has scored 111 goals in 335 appearances.

    But his future in the Spanish capital is far from certain with reports in recent months stating that Real would consider letting the 25-year-old leave if they were to receive a suitable offer.

    When Vinicius was substituted on Sunday, cameras from broadcaster Dazn picked him up saying: “Always me! I’m leaving the team! It’s better if I leave, I’m leaving.”

    In his latest statement on X, Vinicius said: “I promise to keep fighting every second for the good of Real Madrid, as I have done since the first day.”

    BBC

  • 2025 El Clásico: Things to know as Real Madrid take on Barcelona

    2025 El Clásico: Things to know as Real Madrid take on Barcelona

    Real Madrid are set to welcome Barcelona in an El Clasico clash scheduled to take place on Sunday, 26 October 2025 at the Santiago Bernabeu.

    The two Spanish giants are set for a top spot battle in the La Liga standings with Barca looking to yet again defeat Los Blancos in arguably the most watched fixture in football.

    Teams’ Form and Recent Performances

    Real Madrid

    Real Madrid have had an almost unblemished 2025/26 season under new head coach Xabi Alonso following the departure of Carlo Ancelotti.

    The Spanish giants have been in scintillating form having won all but one of their matches across all competitions this season which culminated in them claiming top spot in the league standings as well as sitting pretty well in the top eight of the UEFA Champions League league phase table following a 1-0 win over Juventus in matchday three of the European competition.

    Jude Bellingham gave Madrid a well deserved lead in the second half to continue their 100 percent start to the competition they have won a record 15 times.

    Alonso’s side’s only loss of the campaign was the embarrassing 5-2 defeat to their city rivals Atletico Madrid in the league last month.

    El Clasico will no doubt be Madrid’s biggest test as they face a side they have failed to defeat on four different occasions last season.

    Barcelona

    Barcelona started the 2025/26 season in an impressive fashion just as how they ended the 2024/25 campaign which saw them win the domestic treble ( La Liga, Copa del Rey and the Supercopa de Espana).

    However, the Blaugrana lost their two matches just before the last international break. A 2-1 loss at home to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League was followed by a shocking 4-1 defeat away to Sevilla.

    It has been a different affair for Hansi Flick’s side after the break as they have won each of their two matches since then. A 6-1 home thrashing of Greek giants Olympiacos came right after a narrow 2-1 win against Girona in the Catalan derby.

    Barca will now be going into the heavy clash with Real Madrid with some sort of confidence.

    Head-To-Head Record

    Real Madrid and Barcelona have met on 216 occasions across all competitions. Los Blancos hold a slender lead with 106 victories to Barca’s 104 wins while 51 matches have ended with the two teams sharing the spoils.

    The last eight matches between these two sides have ended in four victories apiece with Madrid winning the first four while Barca have won each of the last four including a 4-3 triumph which puts them on the brink of winning their 25th top-flight title last term.

    A brace from Raphinha as well as Lamine Yamal and Eric Garcia’s strikes meant Kylian Mbappe’s hat-trick counted almost for nothing for Madrid, who lost four Clasicos in a season for the first time since the 1982/83 term.

    Key Players To Watch Out For

    Real Madrid

    Kylian Mbappe

    Mbappe has been in a breathtaking form since the beginning of the season having scored 16 goals in all competitions.

    The France international scored in each of his last 11 matches for both club and country. However, he was unable to extend this feat in the win over Juventus on Wednesday night.

    Mbappe is currently the top goalscorer in the La Liga with 10 goals. He is also the joint-top scorer in the Champions League alongside Bayern Munich talisman Harry Kane with five goals each.

    Vinicius Junior

    Vinicius is another player Barcelona will be wary of in this El Clasico with his explosive pace, exceptional dribbling with his quick feet and agility, and improved finishing.

    Despite nowhere near his best, the 25-year-old Brazilian has managed to score six goals and provide as many assists for los Blancos.

    Barcelona

    Lamine Yamal

    Yamal is undoubtedly Barca’s golden boy, who is likely going to pose all sorts of troubles for Madrid’s defence. Despite having injury troubles which has limited him to just seven matches, the teenage sensation still has eight goal contributions (three goals and five assists).

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    An inverted right-footed winger who cuts inside, combined with exceptional dribbling, close ball control, and a mature playmaking ability, the 18-year-old has all the attributes to unlock Madrid and hand them their second loss of the term.

    Marcus Rashford

    Rashford is arguably Barca’s best player so far this campaign. The Manchester United loanee seems to have rejuvenated his career in Spain as his five goals and six assists including a brace against Olympiacos on Tuesday point to this direction.

    The 27-year-old, who is in a rich vein of form, has the speed, versatility, dribbling and incredible finishing ability to hurt the league leaders.

    Team News

    Real Madrid

    Real Madrid are set to be without Rudiger  in this El Clasico as he remains sidelined due a muscular issue he sustained during the international break in September.

    Alaba was substituted out of last weekend’s match against Getafe owing to a calf injury. The Austrian will not be available in El Clasico.

    Dani Ceballos and Dean Huijsen are both expected to return to the team after missing out in the victory over Juve.

    Dani Carvajal and Trent Alexander-Arnold are also expected to make a return to the team after being on the sidelines for quite a number of games.

    Barcelona

    Raphinha is anticipated for a return this El Clasico even as his hamstring injury has taken longer than expected.

    Olmo will not return to action until at least the beginning of November after suffering a calf injury earlier this month while playing for Spain on international duty.

    Goalkeeping duo, Marc Andre ter Stegen and Joan Garcia are out of this fixture due to injury leaving Wojciech Szczęsny as the man in between the sticks for Barcelona.

    Robert Lewandowski and Gavi are long term absentees therefore won’t be available for selection.

    Possible Starting Line-ups

    Real Madrid

    Courtois; Valverde, Asencio, Militao, Carreras; Tchouameni, Bellingham, Camavinga; Brahim, Mbappe, Vinicius

    Barcelona

    Szczęsny; Kounde, Araujo, Cubarsi, Balde; Casado, De Jong, Pedri; Raphinha, Rashford, Yamal

  • Laliga: Mbappe shines as Real Madrid make it six wins from six

    Laliga: Mbappe shines as Real Madrid make it six wins from six

    Kylian Mbappe scored twice as La Liga leaders Real Madrid continued their impressive start to the season with a comfortable victory at Levante.

    With his side 2-1 ahead, the Frenchman’s double in the space of two minutes sealed a sixth win from their opening six games and move five points clear of Barcelona.

    Mbappe got his first from the penalty spot in the 64th minute, chipping a ‘Panenka’ over Levante goalkeeper Mathew Ryan.

    He then took his tally to seven league goals this term with a deft finish after being slipped in by Arda Guler.

    Earlier, Vinicius Jr had put Real in front with a superb strike, bending the ball into the corner of the net with the outside of his boot from a tight angle.

    The Brazilian forward then turned provider as he picked out Franco Mastantuono with a crossfield pass that the Argentina international clinically fired into the top corner.

    Read Also: Mbappé, Messi hail Dembélé on Ballon d’Or  triumph

    It was the 18-year-old’s first Real Madrid goal since his summer arrival as he surpassed Vini Jr to become the club’s fourth youngest La Liga scorer.

    Levante reduced the deficit when Ivan Romero’s cross spooned up for Etta Eyong to head in at the back post.

    Mbappe’s quickfire strikes, though, killed off any hopes of a comeback as Xabi Alonso became only the club’s second manager to win each of his first six La Liga matches.

    He will have the chance to draw level with Vanderlei Luxemburgo, who won his first seven games in 2005, in the Madrid derby at Atletico on Saturday.

    Barcelona can reduce Real’s lead at the top when they visit Oviedo on Thursday.

    BBC

  • Mbappe stars as Real Madrid extend winning start against Sociedad

    Mbappe stars as Real Madrid extend winning start against Sociedad

    Kylian Mbappe scored one goal and set up another as 10-man Real Madrid maintained their 100% start in La Liga with a gritty 2-1 win at Real Sociedad.

    Mbappe capitalised on a defensive error to notch his fourth league goal of the season, but Madrid’s task was made harder when defender Dean Huijsen was shown a red card.

    France striker Mbappe then turned provider for Arda Guler to give Madrid a 2-0 lead.

    Socieded reduced the deficit when Mikel Oyarzaba converted from the penalty spot.

    Madrid are top of the table with 12 points from four games – five ahead of defending champions Barcelona, who are fifth and face Valencia at 20:00 BST on Sunday.

    Xabi Alonso’s side took the lead when Sociedad winger Mikel Goti’s casual backpass caught his defence flat-footed. Mbappe comfortably outpaced Igor Zubeldia then shrugged off Duje Caleta-Car before he crisply fired home from the edge of the penalty area.

    Read Also: Mbappe:  mental health remains taboo in elite sports

    Madrid were reduced to 10 men in the 32nd minute when Oyarzaba broke clear and was hauled down by Huijsen.

    Mbappe had a major hand in Madrid’s second when he outfoxed Aritz Elustondo and cut the ball back from the byline through a crowded box for Guler to stylishly poke home.

    Sociedad were awarded a penalty shortly after half-time when Ander Barrenetxea’s cross struck Dani Carvajal on the arm, and Oyarzaba calmly sent Thibaut Courtois the wrong way from the spot.

    Madrid showed their defensive fortitude – Trent Alexander-Arnold came on for Carvajal in the 82nd minute – to see out the game, which gave Basque-born Alonso a win over a club where he has strong ties.

    Alonso climbed through the ranks at Sociedad, played 126 games for their first team and began his senior coaching career in charge of the B side.

    BBC

  • Modric will be remembered for good times at Real, says Alonso

    Modric will be remembered for good times at Real, says Alonso

    Luka Modric’s illustrious Real Madrid career ended with a painful 4-0 thrashing by Paris St Germain in the Club World Cup semi-finals.

    But the Croatian maestro’s legacy stretches far beyond a single game, manager Xabi Alonso said.

    Modric, the 2018 Ballon d’Or winner and the Spanish club’s most decorated player, is set to join AC Milan.

    This was after he played his final game for Real Madrid at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Wednesday.

    Since his arrival from Tottenham Hotspur in 2012, the 39-year-old played 597 games and won 28 trophies with Real Madrid, including six Champions League titles.

    Alonso, who shared the pitch with Modric as teammates during his playing days at Real, told reporters on Wednesday that Modric was already a legend.

    “This is not the desired end, it’s a bitter end, but he won’t be remembered for today’s game but for other great ones,” Alonso said.

    “He’s a legend of world football and of Real Madrid. He’ll be remembered for many more good things than for the 25 minutes he played today.”

    Real goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois said Modric will leave a void.

    “Modric always gets a standing ovation, not only from the Madridistas.

    “He’s a great player, a great teammate and we’ll miss him,” the Belgian said.

    (Reuters/NAN)

  • Familiar Foes: Real Madrid, Dortmund fight for CWC semis spot

    Familiar Foes: Real Madrid, Dortmund fight for CWC semis spot

    Meeting again in an all-European clash at the Club World Cup, Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund will fight for a place in the semi-finals this evening.

    Familiar foes from the UEFA Champions League, the pair now convene in New Jersey, with a last-four tie against either Dortmund’s domestic rivals Bayern Munich or all-conquering Paris Saint-Germain at stake.

    Real Madrid have gone through the gears since drawing their first group fixture against Al-Hilal, beating both Pachuca and Red Bull Salzburg to secure a spot in the last 16 before dispatching Juventus.

    Under the fresh management of Xabi Alonso, who demands more running and tactical flexibility than his predecessor, Los Blancos arrive in the quarter-finals as one of the most impressive teams at this revamped Club World Cup.

    Real racked up 11 shots on target against Juve last time out, as seven different players contributed to that tally, but it was academy graduate Gonzalo Garcia who made the difference with his clinical second-half strike.

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    More comfortable than the scoreline suggested, the Spanish side ultimately cruised through and will now play a record 20th  game at FIFA’s top club tournament.

    Remarkably, they are yet to lose a single match at the Club World Cup, winning 16 so far; five-time winners of the competition to date, only Al-Hilal have been able to halt them since 2014.

    So, confidence should be sky-high as Los Blancos have also won four straight games against Borussia Dortmund, including a 5-2 success when the teams met in Madrid last October.

    Of course, their most significant contest came in last year’s Champions League decider, which went the way of Real, and the only time Dortmund have ever eliminated the La Liga giants was back in 2013.

    History may not be on the German club’s side this weekend, but a recent renaissance suggests they might be capable of causing an upset: following a fine end to the Bundesliga season, BVB topped Group F by drawing with Fluminense, beating Mamelodi Sundowns in a seven-goal thriller, then seeing off outsiders Ulsan HD.

    Then, in the last 16, Dortmund struck twice before the half-hour mark through Serhou Guirassy, who attempted all six of their shots against Mexican side Monterrey; revitalised winger Karim Adeyemi set up both of the Guinean’s goals.

    It is fair to say Die Schwarzgelben have been transformed by Croatian coach Niko Kovac over the past few months, climbing from 11th  to fourth in the league and snatching Champions League qualification for next season – and they have carried that momentum with them to the US.

    Dortmund have won no fewer than nine of their last 10 games – drawing the other against potential CWC semi-final opponents Bayern Munich – and Kovac takes much of the acclaim for such a stunning revival.

    Winners of the Intercontinental Cup in 1997, when European champions, the Ruhr team are ultimately seeking a first Club World Cup triumph this summer; first, though, they must overcome trophy-magnets Madrid.