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Kuwait Times
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Kuwait Times
Mbappe double as Real wave goodbye to Ancelotti, Modric
MADRID: Real Madrid's Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti and Real Madrid's Croatian midfielder Luka Modric wave to fans at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on May 24, 2025. — AFP MADRID: Kylian Mbappe virtually wrapped up the European Golden Shoe award with a brace as Real Madrid beat Real Sociedad 2-0 on Saturday, on an emotional home farewell to Carlo Ancelotti and Luka Modric. The Italian is leaving to coach the Brazilian national team, drawing a curtain on his second spell at the club where he won a 15 trophies during a total of six years in charge. 'It has been an honor and a pleasure to coach this club, this team,' Ancelotti told fans at the end of the game. 'I want to thank, first of all, my dear president Florentino (Perez). It has been fantastic to coach this group of footballers of extraordinary quality. It has been fantastic to share all these moments with you. I also can't forget every day I've spent here,' he added. 'I love you very much.' Madrid fans displayed banners showing their affection for Ancelotti and Modric and sang both names. Modric will play at the Club World Cup for Madrid but this was his final game at the Santiago Bernabeu. He was given a guard of honor when he replaced late on. The Croatian midfielder also returned to the pitch to address fans after the game. 'The moment I never wanted to come has arrived,' he said. 'It has been a long journey, but a wonderful one.' 'I have won many trophies, but the biggest one is the love and affection you have given me over all these years. There are no words to thank you for everything you've given me over the years. I want to say a phrase that I like a lot: 'Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened'.' He then set out with his family on a lap of honor to end an emotional afternoon for Los Blancos. It was a profitable one for Mbappe, who scored twice to take the lead in the Golden Shoe standings from Sporting Lisbon's Viktor Gyokeres. Liverpool's Mohamed Salah could yet claim the prize, if he scores four goals against Crystal Palace on Sunday in the final round of Premier League matches. Mbappe was denied early on by Unai Marrero and then fired another decent opportunity over. Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin made a good save from Sergio Gomez, who should have scored as he ran clean through but his effort was tame. Pablo Marin handled as Arda Guler tried to flick the ball past him and Madrid were awarded a penalty after a VAR review. Mbappe's poor penalty was saved by Marrero but the French superstar turned home the rebound for his 30th league goal. Ancelotti brought on Vinicius Junior after an injury to Brahim Diaz, who picked up a knock as Madrid looked to sign off a disappointing season, without winning a major trophy, in style ahead of the Club World Cup in the United States. Madrid wide man Lucas Vazquez, out of contract this summer after spending his whole career at the club, bar one season on loan at Espanyol, was given an ovation as he was substituted. Mbappe netted his second after Vinicius teed him up to move six goals clear of Barcelona's Robert Lewandowski in the battle to be La Liga top scorer. Many at the Bernabeu were in tears when Modric departed late on, embraced by former Madrid midfield partner Toni Kroos on the touchline. Madrid finish the season second in La Liga, behind champions Barcelona, who also beat them in the Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup finals. The champions face Athletic Bilbao on Sunday in their last La Liga game. – AFP
Straits Times
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Six European nations reject ‘any demographic or territorial change' in Gaza
Israeli soldiers stand near an army mobile canon at a position by Israel's border with the Gaza Strip on May 6. PHOTO: AFP MADRID - Six European countries said on May 7 that they 'firmly reject any demographic or territorial change in Gaza' after Israel announced plans to expand its military offensive in the Palestinian territory. Israel's plan 'would mark a new and dangerous escalation' in the war, the foreign ministers of Spain, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Norway and Slovenia said in a joint statement. Israel has called up tens of thousands of reservists for the planned offensive, which comes after resumed Israeli attacks against militant group Hamas in March ended a two-month truce. An Israeli military official has said the offensive would include the 'conquest' of Gaza, holding territory and moving the strip's population south 'for their protection'. The foreign ministers, who apart from Luxembourg represent countries that have recognised a Palestinian state, said the plans would 'cross another line' and 'endanger any perspective of a viable two-state solution' to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. A military escalation would 'worsen an already catastrophic situation' for Palestinian civilians and endanger the lives of hostages held in Gaza, they added. The ministers also asked Israel to 'immediately lift the blockade' it has imposed on Gaza-bound humanitarian aid that has caused shortages of food, fuel and medicine and increased fears of famine. 'What is needed more urgently than ever is the resumption of the ceasefire and the unconditional release of all the hostages,' they said. The war started after Hamas launched an unprecedented attack on Israel from Gaza on Oct 7, 2023 which resulted in the deaths of 1,218 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures. Palestinian militants also abducted 251 people that day, of whom 58 are still held in Gaza, including 34 the Israeli military says are dead. Israel's retaliatory military campaign has killed 52,653 people, mainly civilians, according to the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza. AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
03-05-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
Aryna Sabalenka beats Coco Gauff to win third Madrid Open crown
World number one Aryna Sabalenka posing with her trophy after defeating Coco Gauff to win her third Madrid Open title. PHOTO: AFP MADRID - World number one Aryna Sabalenka defeated Coco Gauff 6-3, 7-6 (7/3) on May 3 to win her third Madrid Open title. The 2024 runner-up cruised past the American, ranked fourth, in the first set before digging deep in the second to triumph in a tie-break, sealing victory as Gauff double faulted. Sabalenka recorded her tour-leading 31st victory on Madrid clay, adding the WTA 1000 trophy to titles in Brisbane and Miami. It was the sixth final she has reached this year and the 37th of her career, the fourth in five years at Madrid. In 2024, Sabalenka was beaten by Iga Swiatek in the showpiece, whom Gauff defeated in the semi-final on May 1. The three-time Grand Slam champion ripped through the first set after Gauff managed an initial hold. Sabalenka won the next 17 points and racked up a 4-1 lead with breaks in the third and fifth games, as Gauff struggled to cope with her immense power. The 21-year-old American, who won the US Open in 2023, managed a break of her own to slow down the 2021 and 2023 Madrid champion. Sabalenka broke again to wrap up the first set in 35 minutes with her second set point as Gauff sliced wide. The American came out reinforced in the second set, switching up her serve more and secured a break in the third game, consolidating for a 3-1 advantage. Gauff saved two break points as Sabalenka applied heavy pressure in the sixth game, holding for a 4-2 lead. At 5-4 up and serving for the set, Gauff twice double faulted, handing her opponent three break points. Sabalenka dropped her racquet in a comical moment during a rally on the second of those, the Belarusian looking at the crowd in bemusement, as Gauff saved all three. After squandering set point, Gauff saved another break point, but Sabalenka eventually claimed the game at the fifth time of asking. The world number one battled through a tough hold for 6-5, but spurned a championship point as Gauff forced a tie-break. Sabalenka secured two mini-breaks before Gauff fought back on serve, but eventually the 26-year-old took control, opening up three more championship points. Gauff handed victory to this year's Australian Open runner-up on a plate with a double fault. AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
24-04-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
Aryna Sabalenka expecting ‘big chance' to win on Madrid clay
Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka is still waiting for her first title on clay since her 2023 Madrid triumph. AFP MADRID – World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka believes that she will have 'big chances' to perform well on clay this season, should she recapture the level she showed during the 2024 Madrid Open final against Iga Swiatek. The Belarusian squandered three match points in a heartbreaking defeat by Swiatek in the Spanish capital 12 months ago, in what was a high-quality clash that earned WTA Match of the Year honours at the end of the season. Targeting a third Madrid Open crown this fortnight at the Caja Magica, Sabalenka reflects fondly on her final against her Polish rival, despite coming agonisingly close to victory before falling just short. 'That match was a blockbuster, and I really enjoyed playing, it was very intense, very long,' she said on April 23. 'If I can play like that in every match on clay, I think I have big chances to perform well on the clay-court season this year. That was amazing match, even though I lost it. 'Nothing I can be upset with, to be honest. I did my best there, and she just outplayed me.' Sabalenka arrives in Madrid on the back of a runner-up showing in Stuttgart, where she fell in the final to Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia. The 26-year-old, who won the 2024 US and Australian Opens, is still waiting for her first title on clay since her 2023 Madrid triumph. The top seed will open her campaign against Russian Anna Blinkova in the second round on April 25. This season is featuring live electronic line calling on clay for the first time on the WTA and ATP tours – a decision that has been met with mixed reaction. While some players are happy to avoid arguments with umpires by solely relying on technology, others have questioned the accuracy of the technology, given the replay does not always match the mark visible on the clay court. 'I prefer to have the Hawk-Eye system than the referee, because sometimes referees can be very weak to go there (to check the mark) and confirm that they made mistake, so yeah, I prefer to have the Hawk-Eye system,' said Sabalenka. First-round action in Madrid on April 23 saw a returning Petra Kvitova squander a 4-1 double-break lead en route to a 6-4, 6-0 defeat by American Katie Volynets. The Czech came back from a 17-month maternity leave two months ago and was contesting her first clay-court match in two years. AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
