The Benito Villamarín is one of those places marked in red on the Real Madrid calendar, one of those stadiums where survival is key to fighting for the championship.. And the white team, in a match from more to less, left two points on the way to the League title. Bellingham, yes, Bellingham again, scored 0-1 but Ruibal, with a great goal from outside the area, put the final tie. [Narrative and statistics (1-1)]

Carlo Ancelotti started with his gala eleven, aware of the significance of the penultimate home visit of this tough start to the season. The whites have already traveled to San Mamés, the Metropolitano, Montilivi, Sánchez Pizjuán, Montjuic and Villamarín, and 2023 is not over yet. Six of the most complicated exits in the League that Madrid has solved with three wins, two draws and one defeat.

In Seville, the Madrid team came out with Lucas Vázquez on the right, replacing the injured Carvajal and with ideas in attack that were somewhat different from those we have seen in recent weeks.. The drawing before the initial whistle suggested a 4-4-2 diamond formation with Rodrygo and Brahim at the top, but as soon as the ball began to roll Ancelotti placed the Brazilian close to the left touchline and the Malaga player close to the right, with Bellingham and Modric arriving from the second line. The Italian wanted to open the field, avoid the funnel in the center and take advantage of the spaces behind the Betic defense. And he succeeded at times.

Vinicius style

The first half hour was a continuation of the good play of the white team in recent weeks, flowing in choral sensations and in individual actions against a Betis that did not know how to sink its teeth into Madrid's dominance.. Modric, with a header, was about to make it 0-1 after five minutes, and Ruibal, right back for the suspended Bellerín, experienced firsthand the ideal moment that Rodrygo is experiencing. The Brazilian was Madrid's best at Villamarín, moving away from the center and sticking to the wing, in true Vinicius style.

In the 9th, he faced and dribbled with Ruibal inside the area and fell down, but Soto Grado did not consider it a penalty despite the footballer's protests.. Five minutes later, the Brazilian reappeared on the front line, he created a wall with Bellingham, the Englishman gave him a backheel and went into the area, with no luck to finish because a defender took off ahead of him.. The rebound from the clearance bounced off the forward himself and reached Brahim, who pushed the ball into the goal for the 0-1 score.. But the VAR notified Soto Grado and disallowed the goal for offside at the start of the action.

All of Madrid's danger came from the left side, in those triangles that they always build between Bellingham, Modric and Rodrygo and in the balls behind the defense that both the Brazilian and Brahim punished. In front, a Betis that only found inspiration in Isco's boots. The former white team player had his team's best opportunity in the first half, but his shot was bitten after an assist from Ayoze.

Ruibal's shot that made it 1-1 at Villamarín. EFE

From the 30th minute onwards, the locals began to wake up and Madrid began to be much more imprecise. Lunin saved the 1-0 with a shot from Ayoze, who had stood in the area despite having fouled Mendy, and Willian José tried after a loss by Kroos on the way out.. Madrid was grateful for the rest.

After the intermission, Bellingham reappeared. When the whites' attack was most dense, who had 'forgotten' Rodrygo who had done a lot of damage at the beginning of the duel, the Englishman made it 0-1. He picked up a ball on the left wing, advanced diagonally and gave it up to Brahim, continuing his unmarking towards the area. The man from Malaga struck the ball first over the rival defense and the Briton, after extraordinary control with his chest, calmly defined against Rui Silva. His 16th goal for Madrid this season, his 12th in the League, where Pichichi remains with three more than Griezmann.

Isco and Joselu, in the final stretch

The goal hurt Betis and established Madrid's dominant position, which felt comfortable in those long possessions in the rival field.. But on the Sevillian afternoon, the white team made unexpected mistakes. Not only in output, also in construction, something strange. On one of those possessions, Bellingham came up short on a change of play and Ruibal started a counterattack.. He handed over to Willian José, who again found him two meters from the front, and the full-back, without pressure from the Madrid defense, did not think twice.. He released a cross missile that slipped through the right corner of Lunin's goal. A gentleman goal.

The tie raised the morale and physical effort of Betis and left a Madrid in shock that could not find any ease again towards Rui Silva's nets.. Rodrygo tried non-stop, the best of the afternoon, but he lacked success in the last pass or the last action to decide the match. Of course, the Brazilian once again left a recital in that left-handed position that Vinicius usually occupies.. Lucky choice for Ancelotti. In one of those slaloms, the Brazilian ended up knocked down, but Soto Grado let him continue when he saw that the ball fell to Joselu, who shot across Rui Silva.

Before, Isco, the local star, was about to make it 2-1 with a great header, but the ball crashed into the post. Draws in an intense Villamarín for a Madrid that could lose the lead if Girona is able to beat Barcelona in Montjuic.

A few years have passed since Iñaki Peña (Alicante, 1999) began to look at himself in the mirror of Víctor Valdés until he managed to take over the starting position in the Barça goal.. The youth player, who must be in charge of defending the goal while Marc-André ter Stegen is out, underwent surgery for his lower back problems this week, paid close attention to the one from L'Hospitalet when he began to get between the posts. And today, Xavi Hernández's confidence in his possibilities is maximum. “It is not an option to sign another goalkeeper,” stated the coach in the press conference prior to the match against the surprising Girona in Montjuïc.

His style of play, extremely comfortable when moving with his feet, with great reflexes, explosive agility and capable of perfectly holding up the forward in one-on-one situations, of course, is very reminiscent of that goalkeeper who was decisive both under the orders from Frank Rijkaard and Pep Guardiola so that the club would live a few dream years.

They both even have a very similar build.. Around 1.85 tall, something that some consider “short” to be a goalkeeper. Valdés' stops, at the time, like Peña's, are responsible for denying it. And there would also be added another kind of clone of L'Hospitalet's forged in La Masia: an Arnau Tenas who took advantage of the expulsion of Gianluigi Donnarumma to make it clear that he did not go to PSG to warm up the bench.

At La Masia since 2012

Although Peña took his first steps in the Villarreal youth team, a team he joined from Alicante, as soon as Barça's proposal arrived he had no doubts.. It was of no use to the Castellón entity to commit to making an economic effort to retain him.. The decision had been made: nothing and no one would stop him from pursuing his dream of making a name for himself and winning titles at Barça.. In 2012 he arrived at La Masia, where he always displayed a calm and discreet character that allowed him to get along well with everyone, both with his teammates and those responsible for his training..

Step by step, he climbed positions in the Barcelona quarry. Until, of course, the doors of the first team ended up being opened wide for him.. A real candy, although perhaps a little poisoned. Unseating Ter Stegen, one of the best goalkeepers in the world when his physique is with him, as he demonstrated last year, was going to be a titanic task.. For this reason, as soon as he had the opportunity, he agreed to go on loan to a Galatasaray where Domènec Torrent was waiting for him with open arms..

His long-awaited debut at the Camp Nou, although he was wearing the Turkish team's jersey in the first leg of the round of 16 of the 2021-22 Europa League, was simply spectacular. Time and again he was in charge of frustrating the approaches of those who, until not so long ago, had been his teammates and left a clean sheet. In Istanbul, however, Xavi's men would finally be able to seal their place in the round with a hard-fought victory (1-2).

Contract extension

Peña has always dreamed of being Barça's starting goalkeeper. And character, of course, is not lacking. At the beginning of this year, with his renewal practically closed, he was on the verge of not signing it after being ousted by Ter Stegen with a view to the duel with Real Sociedad in the Copa del Rey. Finally, after speaking with Xavi about his situation, he signed the extension of his contract.

And now, with the great performances signed both against Porto in the Champions League (2-1) and against Atlético in the League (1-1), after leaving Vallecas with bittersweet feelings due to the draw against Rayo (1- 1), is finally seeing his dream come true. A dream that will last, at least, as long as Ter Stegen's absence lasts, whose return, in principle, could be delayed, in the best of cases, until the return of the round of 16 of the top European competition.

“We follow Cian from his youth. “When the opportunity arose to sign him starting December 1, we didn't hesitate.”. The latest pearl of Belgian cycling is now part of the best team in the world. In the Jumbo-Visma, which from January will be called Visma-Lease a bike, Cian Uijtdebroeks will ride.

A key move for the Dutch team, which incorporates the 20-year-old, eighth in the last Vuelta a España (seventh in the Angliru, fifth in the Tourmalet…), its first major, and youngest winner in the history of the Future Tour in 2022. “I am delighted to join the Visma-Lease a Bike team. It has proven to be a leading team in recent years. And he was absolutely exceptional in 2023, winning all three grand tours. It is an honor to learn from Jonas, Wout and Sepp. I'm really looking forward to getting started,” said Uijtdebroeks.

In addition to incorporating the climber, the Jumbo steals from a direct rival. Because Cian had one more year on his contract with Bora hansgrohe, the fate of Primoz Roglic, the big yellow player.. “He fits perfectly into our team. Wants to develop in all areas. We are happy that he chose us and our approach,” explains Merijn Zeeman, Jumbo's sporting director, in the Dutch team's official statement.. “The focus will be on improvement and growth. You can learn from our best riders like Jonas Vingegaard, Wout van Aert and Sepp Kuss. We see Cian as the future leader of our team,” he adds.. The Belgian's contract is until 2027.

However, the move has come with controversy, because the German team has assured shortly after in a statement that “Cian is and will continue to be a member of BORA-Hansgrohe also in the next 2024 season.”. “You are contractually bound to us until December 31, 2024.”

A&J All Sports, the agency that represents the young cyclist, has also spoken out, in a conflict that aims to be resolved in court.. “The contract between Cian Uijtdebroeks and Bora-Hansgrohe ended on December 1, 2023. Cian has already initiated legal proceedings and the UCI is aware of the termination of the agreement. Cian is confident in the outcome of the pending proceedings and will refrain from further comment at this time. Of course, Cian is excited and looking forward to his future cooperation with Visma-Lease a Bike starting next season,” reads his statement.

More than 11 years after leaving Old Trafford victorious with Athletic, Andoni Iraola returned as a coach to the Theater of Dreams and won it back in style with Bournemouth, who mercilessly thrashed Manchester United. A very hard blow for Erik ten Hag's project and a boost for The Cherries, who have 19 points, 10 above the relegation zone. [Narrative and statistics (0-3)]

Only three days after their convincing victory against Chelsea (2-1) the Red Devils once again offered their worst version, fortunately for Bournemouth, who, through goals from Dominic Solanke, Philip Billing and Marco Senesi, achieved the best victory of the season and added its fourth win in the last five games. And it could have been even more bloody, if Peter Bankes had not annulled, after VAR intervention, the 0-4 in the third minute of added time due to a previous handball by Dango Ouattara.

Iraola, discussed until not so long ago, returned confidence to the club with one of his best games ever, nullifying United at home, suffocating them with high pressure and converting the chances they had, thanks to a superb Solanke.

In the 5th minute, the pressure from above bore its first fruits when Scott McTominay, hero with a double against Chelsea, was forced to a ball and Lewis Cook stole his wallet. The United defense, too passive, watched as Cook's low cross was finished off by Solanke at the near post.

A post and two goals disallowed

The worst possible start for a United that was coming off a Friday in which it received the awards for best player of the month in the Premier (Harry Maguire), best coach and best goal (Alejandro Garnacho), a simple mirage in this team, which Even a modest team like Bournemouth can dominate in its fiefdom with apparent simplicity.

Because the first half of the locals was embarrassing, inappropriate for a club of this caliber and only one post, in a shot by Solanke, and an offside, in a goal disallowed by Marcus Tavernier, avoided a major punishment. But United would not always escape, sentenced after the break.

Solanke, in more of a role as the initiator of the play, led a counterattack, opened towards the wing for Tavernier and the Englishman put a cross into the small area that Billing finished off on goal.. The 0-2 was already a slap in the face for Ten Hag, but what happened next was worse and left him on the tightrope. At 73 minutes, Senesi, after a corner, made it 0-3 and already in injury time, with the game practically over, Bournemouth's attack line continued to press. Only the intervention of the VAR prevented the score from 0-4.

Liverpool provisional leadership

The few people who were left at Old Trafford and who had not left with the 0-3 score began to boo Ten Hag, in what could be the end of his project. Access to the Champions League round of 16 requires a win against Bayern Munich, combined with a draw between Copenhagen and Galatasaray. Next weekend there is the duel against Liverpool, provisional leader of the Premier.

After a very tough game at Selhurst Park, Jurgen Klopp's team was able to complete their comeback against Crystal Palace in added time. After the 1-0 scoreline, created by Jean-Philippe Mateta from the penalty spot, the Reds were only able to turn the score around after Jordan Ayew was given a double yellow card. After Mohamed Salah's equalizer, the Egyptian's 200th goal in the Reds' shirt, victory took until the 91st minute, when Harvey Elliott sent Roy Hodgson's box to the canvas.

This summer, Jaylen Brown, of the Boston Celtics, signed the largest contract in NBA history: 280 million euros for five seasons, that is, 56 million a year. The announcement sparked a debate in the United States. If Brown, who is a very good player, but is not the star of his team, earns that much money…. How much will Luka Doncic's renewal be in 2025? Many analysts consider that the former Real Madrid player could be the first to overcome the barrier of 75 million euros per year and mark a milestone in Yankee sports.

Nobody in the NBA has earned so much, not even in the NFL or the MBL, the three leagues with the highest income from television rights above the Premier or LaLiga.. Well, Jon Rahm will earn 525 million euros from the LIV Golf circuit, 105 million per year, double that of Jaylen Brown and more than Doncic negotiates whatever he negotiates.. How is it possible?

Rahm's contract with the semi-new golf competition responds to several reasons, but the first is blatant: it is not sustainable nor does it intend to be sustainable.. The LIV Golf circuit is part of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 project, led by Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, which aims to promote the country to get rid of its dependence on oil. The cost does not matter. The income, neither. In 2022, its first season, the almost clandestine tournaments of the LIV circuit spent 1.4 billion from the Saudi Public Investment Fund and there was practically no return.

In the NBA, the distribution of income is 50/50 between owners and players, so contracts grow at the same rate as the league's economy.. Something similar happens in the NFL or the MBL and even in European football thanks to financial fair play even though there are exceptions here.. First, because footballers take approximately 70% of their clubs' income, more than LeBron James and company.. And second, because the regulations are flexible, hence Leo Messi's latest agreement with Barcelona, 555 million for four years, as EL MUNDO revealed.. In LIV Golf, in any case, there is no relationship of any kind between profits and salaries.

The second largest in history

That contract signed by Messi and Josep Maria Bartomeu in 2017 maintains the record of being the most expensive in the history of sport, although Rahm's recent pact with LIV Golf is already in second place. With the agreement between Patrick Mahomes and Kansas City for 420 million in fourth position – it was for 10 years, from 2020 to 2031 -, the third and fifth place are also the work of Saudi Arabia: the 500 million from Al-Nassr to Cristiano Ronaldo for two and a half seasons and the 400 million from Al-Ittihad to Karim Benzema for two seasons.

And football is the spearhead of Saudi Arabia's global tourism expansion, although the country has also invested a fortune in Formula 1 and smaller amounts in sports such as mixed martial arts (MMA) or paddle tennis.. His next objectives are tennis, which is already planning a Masters 1000 in Riyadh, and winter sports, with the Neom ski resort, but golf remains essential in his project.

luxury tourists

The reason is the type of public that Saudi Arabia wants to attract in the coming decades. Beyond mass tourism, the country seeks to be a reference for luxury tourists and they are usually interested in watching and playing golf.. The economic value of the sport has never been in the number of fans it attracts, its global audiences are limited – the PGA Tour's broadcast rights generate less than those of MLS soccer -, for example, but it attracts high-level fans purchasing.

Hence the exaggerated investment in the LIV Golf, which, furthermore, will not be forever.. At first Saudi Arabia's intention was to associate with the PGA Tour – as it has done with ATP – but later decided to create its own competition due to the difficulties in reaching an agreement.. Now, with the schism created in golf with contracts like Rahm's, the union between both circuits should accelerate until it becomes a fact soon.