JEDDAH: Barcelona hammered rivals Real Madrid 5-2 in a wild Spanish Super Cup Clasico final in Saudi Arabia on Sunday to win the first trophy of the Hansi Flick era.
The electric Kylian Mbappe sent Madrid ahead but a dominant Barcelona hit five in response before their goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny was sent off in the second half.
Madrid were hoping to avenge their 4-0 defeat by Barcelona in October’s La Liga Clasico but instead were left battered and bruised by their arch-rivals in Jeddah.
After Mbappe’s opener, Lamine Yamal levelled and Robert Lewandowski sent Barcelona ahead from the penalty spot, with Raphinha bagging a brace and Alejandro Balde also on target.
Rodrygo Goes pulled one back for Madrid with a free-kick but they could not capitalize further on their numerical advantage in a humiliating defeat for the European champions.
Both Flick and his opposite number Carlo Ancelotti opted to maintain the same line-ups they started with in the semifinals.
Yamal issued Madrid an early warning with a curling effort from the right which forced Thibaut Courtois into a fine save.
The Belgian goalkeeper also produced a strong stop to keep a Raphinha header at bay after the Brazilian evaded Lucas Vazquez with ease.
Despite Barcelona’s opening salvo it was Real Madrid who took the lead in the fifth minute with Mbappe’s brilliant goal on the counter-attack.
The French forward, frustrated numerous times by the offside flag in the league defeat by the Catalans, broke loose on the halfway line after Vinicius won the ball back and, after bursting into the area, clipped past Szczesny.
It took a stunning individual goal from 17-year-old Yamal to level the scoreline, with the Spanish winger cutting in from the right before stroking home a low finish inside the near post in a similar style to former Barca great Lionel Messi, whom he is often compared to.
Inigo Martinez hobbled off injured and Flick sent on Ronald Araujo in his place, amidst heavy transfer speculation the Uruguayan defender wants to leave the club.
Barcelona kept pushing and moved ahead through Lewandowski’s penalty after Eduardo Camavinga arrived late and carelessly clattered Gavi.
Raphinha soon added Barcelona’s third with a header from Jules Kounde’s cross from deep and they grabbed their fourth before half-time on the break.
Yamal and Raphinha combined and the latter slipped in Balde, who slotted past Courtois.
Barcelona continued in the same vein after the break and Raphinha netted the fifth with a neat dribble and finish after Marc Casado played him in.
The Catalans were reduced to 10 men when Mbappe sped in at the other end, rounding goalkeeper Szczesny, who brought him down outside the area and after a VAR review was dismissed.
Rodrygo, who earlier hit the post, rifled home the free-kick past Szczesny’s replacement Inaki Pena.
Mbappe brilliantly teed up Jude Bellingham but the England international was denied by a superb Kounde challenge in stoppage time.
The French forward also came close to scoring again himself on a fine individual display but Pena tipped away his effort.
Barcelona brought on midfielder Dani Olmo for his first appearance since he was registered to play for the club on a temporary basis, a controversial issue which overshadowed the semifinals earlier in the week.
However their five-star display offered a host of other talking points as Barca won a record-extending 15th Spanish Super Cup.
Five-star Barcelona smash Real Madrid to win Spanish Super Cup in Jeddah
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Five-star Barcelona smash Real Madrid to win Spanish Super Cup in Jeddah
- Kylian Mbappe put Madrid ahead but dominant Barcelona hit five in response
South Africa call up Bosch for Champions Trophy in Pakistan and UAE
- Bosch made his one-day international and Test debuts against Pakistan in December 2024
- He will replace fellow fast bowler Anrich Nortje in South Africa’s squad for Champions Trophy
Johannesburg: Corbin Bosch will replace fellow fast bowler Anrich Nortje in South Africa’s squad for the Champions Trophy in Pakistan, Cricket South Africa announced on Sunday.
Bosch, who made his one-day international and Test debuts against Pakistan in December, will depart for Karachi on Sunday to join the squad for a triangular series against Pakistan and New Zealand ahead of the Champions trophy, which starts on February 19.
Nortje was named in the squad last month but was withdrawn a day later because of a back injury.
Nortje’s likely replacement, Gerald Coetzee, was on Wednesday named, then withdrawn from the tri-series squad after feeling tightness in his groin during a pre-departure net practice.
Teenage fast bowler Kwena Maphaka will join the squad for the tri-series and be a traveling reserve for the Champions Trophy.
Cricket South Africa also announced that former Pakistan all-rounder Yasir Arafat had joined the support staff as a consultant for both tournaments in Pakistan.
Revised South African squad:
Temba Bavuma (capt), Corbin Bosch, Tony de Zorzi, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen (wkt), Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton (wkt), Tabraiz Shamsi, Tristan Stubbs, Rassie van der Dussen.
Sharjah Self-Defense takes lead on opening day of Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship
- The 2nd round of the competition also saw Al Ain Jiu-Jitsu Club and Abu Dhabi Martial Arts Academy in 2nd and 3rd places on Day 1
DUBAI: The Sharjah Self-Defense Sports Club dominated the opening day of the second round of the Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship at Al-Nasr Club in Dubai. The event, featuring No-Gi competition, brought together young athletes from leading clubs and academies across the country.
Competitors in the U-12, U-14, and U-16 categories took to the mats on Day 1, with the Sharjah Self-Defense Sports Club securing the top spot. The Al Ain Jiu-Jitsu Club and Abu Dhabi Martial Arts Academy followed in second and third place, respectively. The action continues on Sunday with U-18, Adults, and Masters divisions set to compete.
Yousef Abdullah Al-Batran, board member of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, said: “The second round of the Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship dedicated (to) No-Gi competition offers a valuable experience for young talents, allowing them to think quickly and apply precise techniques that enhance their technical and physical abilities. This helps them improve their performance and sharpen their skills.
“This championship serves as an important platform for athletes across different age groups to test their abilities, build confidence, and develop a strong competitive mindset. It also reinforces core sporting values such as discipline, commitment, and respect, while preparing them for challenges in their athletic careers.
“The Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship was the first event to introduce the Under-12 category to No-Gi competitions during its inaugural edition last year. This step was taken to help young athletes adapt to a professional competition environment early on, ensuring they develop both physically and mentally to become the future of jiu-jitsu in the country.”
Fareed Al-Qaiwani, executive director of Al-Nasr Sports Games Co., said: “We at Al-Nasr Club are honored to host this prestigious championship. We maintain close collaboration with the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, and by hosting this event, we play a role in promoting jiu-jitsu. We look forward to welcoming more championships in the future.”
Bencic claims second Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open title to complete fairytale comeback
- Swiss star fights back from a set down to beat American Ashlyn Krueger
ABU DHABI: Belinda Bencic became Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open champion for the second time after coming from behind to defeat Ashlyn Krueger in Saturday’s final, capping a remarkable comeback story.
In the doubles event Jelena Ostapenko and Ellen Perez clinched the title with a dominant win over Shuai Zhang and Kristina Mladenovic.
The third edition of the WTA 500 event finished in front of a sold-out crowd at the International Tennis Centre, Zayed Sports City, the culmination of eight days of world-class tennis and fantastic off-court entertainment.
Both finalists recorded magnificent victories to secure their place in the tournament showpiece, with Bencic overturning a one-set deficit to eliminate reigning champion Elena Rybakina and Krueger defeating Linda Noskova, setting the stage for a super showdown on Stadium Court.
There was little to choose between the two players in the first set, which went with serve for the opening eight games.
With the score tied at 4-4, Krueger, 20, broke her opponent, subsequently seeing out the following game, on serve, to take the lead.
If the first set was close, the second was anything but, as Bencic, 27, produced a stunning response, completely overpowering Krueger, who was playing in her first WTA 500 final, to restore parity.
Buoyed by the ruthlessness of her second-set turnaround, 2020 Olympic gold medallist Bencic picked up where she left off, quickly racing into a 3-0 lead in the third to firmly take control of the contest.
The less experienced Krueger pulled a game back, but it was little more than a temporary reprieve. There was simply no stopping Bencic, who comfortably saw out the next three games to seal a 4-6, 6-1, 6-1 victory, and a second Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open title, capping a remarkable comeback story given she did not return to action until October after taking a maternity break.
With Bencic not competing at last year’s event, today’s victory ensures she remains undefeated at the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open, a tournament she is slowly making her own.
Bencic celebrated on-court, including her young daughter Bella in the proceedings, before collecting her trophy.
Earlier in the day, Ostapenko and Perez made light work of Zhang and Mladenovic in the doubles final, requiring just 60 minutes to land the title in a very one-sided contest.
The pair reached the final without dropping a set, and the final followed a similar theme as they blasted their opponents off court in devastating fashion, cruising to a 6-2, 6-1 victory.
Homaid Al Shimmari, deputy group CEO at Mubadala Investment Company, said: “Congratulations to the winners on their remarkable victory at the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open. This tournament has once again brought together the world’s top talent, thrilling fans and elevating the profile of women’s tennis on the global stage. At Mubadala, we are proud to support events that inspire the next generation and reinforce Abu Dhabi’s position as a world-class sporting destination. We look forward to building on this magnificent momentum and welcoming many more future champions to this speculator event next year.”
Aref Al-Awani, general secretary of Abu Dhabi Sports Council, said: “I am pleased to congratulate Belinda Bencic on her well-deserved victory. She showcased an outstanding performance that combined skill and determination that befits the prestige of the tournament.”
Also on Saturday, the Road to Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open winners were crowned as the initiative, which provides a pathway for aspiring players in the UAE to enhance their skills and make an impact on the global game, reached its conclusion.
Sanctioned by the UAE Tennis Federation, the Road to Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open holds tournaments throughout Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Fujairah for various age groups, with the respective finals taking place as part of the WTA 500 event.
For the second consecutive year, Timur Gordeev walked away with the title in the under-16 boys competition, while Karen John triumphed in the girls’ tournament for the same age group.
At under-14 level, Isabelle James successfully defended the title she won last year, with Alexi Rafa Aldemita winning the boys’ competition.
Ryan Abou Jamra and Sophie Himmelreich, meanwhile, were the winners in the under-12 category.
The event has a huge effect in the local community through the Road to Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open and Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open Schools Program, which engaged more than 25,000 children from schools in the capital.
Saudi Kickboxing Federation launches new identity as Saudi Open Kickboxing Championship ends
- Initiative is a transformative step in SKF’s journey
- Male and female gold medalists crowned on Saturday
RIYADH: The Saudi Open Kickboxing Championship, which was organized by the Saudi Kickboxing Federation, featured the launch of SKF’s new identity on Saturday.
The president of SKF, Ahmed Al-Twayan, launched the new identity on the final day of the championship, which attracted 277 participants from 27 clubs and was held at the Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium in Al-Malaz.
The initiative is a transformative step in the federation’s journey, aiming to establish a national foundation for kickboxing in Saudi Arabia and support the goals of Vision 2030.
Male and female athletes who won gold medals were also crowned on Saturday.
During the closing ceremony, the SKF’s president honored the sponsors, various media outlets, winning athletes, and several supporters and influencers.
The ceremony included live performances by athletes, along with special prizes for families of participants.
Israa Shalabi, the mother of player Sulaiman Balaous, won the Best Mother Award. Additionally, 10 audience members received prizes, including tablets and mobile phones.
The Saudi Open Kickboxing Championship started on Wednesday with weight-ins and registration, followed by competitions on Thursday and Friday, attracting a large audience.
To enhance the event experience, SKF organized entertainment activities and welcomed about 3,000 visitors to the Fan Zone.
Du Plessis batters Strickland to retain UFC middleweight crown
- South African Dricus du Plessis defended his UFC middleweight belt on Sunday with a unanimous win over bitter rival Sean Strickland, destroying his opponent’s nose in a bloody title fight in Sydney
SYDNEY: South African Dricus du Plessis defended his UFC middleweight belt on Sunday with a unanimous win over bitter rival Sean Strickland, destroying his opponent’s nose in a bloody title fight in Sydney.
The 31-year-old won 50-45, 50-45, 49-46 to boost his win-loss record to 23-2 and cement his status as mixed martial arts’ top 185-pound fighter.
Du Plessis first claimed the belt when he beat Strickland via a close split decision in Toronto in January last year, a bout the polarizing American repeatedly insisted he won.
The South African launched a successful defense against Nigeria-born Israel Adesanya in August, while Strickland rebounded with a tepid defeat of Brazil’s Paulo Costa to set up the re-match.
“To come in here and try to knock this man out it is next to impossible,” said Du Plessis, the first South African to win a UFC championship. “I’d love another round, but that’s not the game.
“I wanted a submission, a knockout or an absolute domination of a five rounder,” he added. “That’s what I gave. I gave it my all.”
The Toronto clash was decided by the smallest of margins, but this time it was all Du Plessis.
In a measured start he utilized his favored head kicks, landing four in round one as Strickland responded with tentative jabs.
The volume of strikes increased in round two with Du Plessis delivering combinations to the face that drew blood as he picked up the pace.
Strickland lacked urgency and Du Plessis rammed home the advantage in a dominant round four.
A huge right hook saw blood come pouring from the American’s nose, and another rocked him onto the cage.
Strickland’s nose was clearly bothering him as Du Plessis went in for the kill in the fifth and last round, targeting it whenever possible without being able to deliver a decisive knockout blow.
In a profanity-laden courtside interview afterwards, the American said his nose was broken.
“I popped it back in place and kept fighting for you,” he said. “He kicked my ass fair and square, props to him.”
Also on the maincard, Chinese strawweight queen Zhang Weili successfully defended her title for a third straight time, dominating previously unbeaten American challenger Tatiana Suarez.
The ferocious Zhang, seen as the best pound-for-pound women’s fighter in the sport, scored a unanimous win in the five-round fight that left Suarez with some nasty cuts.
“I was well prepared for this fight. Tatiana is very strong, but I just focused on myself,” said Zhang, who stretched her record to 26-3.
In the heavyweight non-title bout, Brazil’s Tallison Teixeira scored a knockout win over Justin Tafa after just 35 seconds, with a huge elbow to the nose sending the Australian down.
It stretched Teixeira’s record to 8-0.
