BERLIN: Bayer Leverkusen’s Alejandro Grimaldo scored twice in the first half to guide them to a 4-3 victory in a thrilling clash at Mainz 05 on Saturday, stretching their record unbeaten run on the road in the Bundesliga.
Leverkusen, who host European champions Paris St. Germain in the Champions League on Tuesday, moved up to 14 points in fifth place with their third straight league win while also extending their unbeaten league record to 37 consecutive away matches.
Spain international Grimaldo opened their account with an 11th-minute penalty before teenager Christian Kofane doubled the lead 13 minutes later, capping off a dominant opening spell.
Mainz briefly cut the deficit through Lee Jane-sung in the 34th but Grimaldo punished the hosts for two consecutive defensive errors in first-half stoppage time to slot in and restore their two-goal cushion.
In a topsy-turvy second half the hosts hit the post and earned a 71st minute penalty, with Nadiem Amiri putting them back in the game from the spot, but the visitors struck again with Martin Terrier slotting in from seven meters in the 87th.
Mainz still had time to score another goal — in the 90th minute through Armindo Sieb — but could not find the equalizer in 10 minutes of added time.
Despite scoring their first goals in a home game this season, Mainz, stuck in 16th, have now failed to win at home for a ninth straight league game, equalling the club’s record for the longest stretch without a victory at their ground.
Grimaldo helps Leverkusen win 4-3 at Mainz to stretch record unbeaten away run
https://arab.news/m2nf5
Grimaldo helps Leverkusen win 4-3 at Mainz to stretch record unbeaten away run
- Leverkusen moved up to 14 points in fifth place with their third straight league win
- Spain international Grimaldo opened their account with an 11th-minute penalty
Dakar Rally Saudi Arabia 2026 countdown begins ahead of Jan. 3 start
- * Redesigned course introduces fresh challenges that will raise the intensity of competition
- * Event highlights Kingdom’s aims of becoming a global leader in motorsport, says Prince Khalid bin Sultan Al-Abdullah Al-Faisal, SAMF chairman
JEDDAH: The countdown for Dakar Rally Saudi Arabia 2026, one of the world’s toughest rally events, has begun with less than a month remaining before the seventh consecutive edition hosted in the Kingdom gets underway.
The rally will take place from Jan. 3-17 under the supervision of the Ministry of Sport. It will be organized by the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation and promoted by the Saudi Motorsport Company.
Global attention will be focused on the rally as competitors prepare for a gruelling test across Saudi Arabia’s vast and varied terrain.
The upcoming edition is set to be one of the most distinctive yet, featuring a new route that will give competitors the chance to experience the Kingdom’s natural beauty, varied landscapes and historic sites.
The redesigned course introduces fresh challenges that will raise the intensity of competition, adding excitement throughout every stage.
Prince Khalid bin Sultan Al-Abdullah Al-Faisal, chairman of the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation and the Saudi Motorsport Company, said: “The Dakar Rally is more than just a race; it is part of the Kingdom’s ambitious journey toward becoming a global leader in motorsport.”
This year’s rally marked a pivotal moment for Saudi motorsport when Yazeed Al-Rajhi became the first Saudi driver to claim the title in the cars category.
“It’s a milestone we are all proud of and hope to see repeated next year,” Prince Khalid said.
The SAMF chairman added: “What makes us especially proud this year is the rising number of Saudi drivers taking part, a clear indication of the success of our talent-development initiatives and next-generation programs. These achievements are the result of national efforts we all take pride in.”
Dakar Saudi Arabia 2026 will welcome 812 competitors representing 69 countries, competing with 433 vehicles across eight categories: Ultimate B, Ultimate, Stock, Challenger, Side-by-Side, Trucks, in addition to motorbikes and quad bikes. The rally will cover a total distance of 7,999 km, including 4,845 km of timed special stages.
Competition begins on Jan. 3, with a 23 km prologue stage in Yanbu, followed by stage 1 on Jan. 4 over 305 km starting and finishing in Yanbu.
Stage 2 will take place on Jan. 5 from Yanbu to AlUla (400 km), with stage 3 held in AlUla on Jan. 6 (422 km). Stage 4 follows on Jan. 7 from AlUla to the Marathon Camp (451 km).
Stage 5 runs on Jan. 8 from the Marathon Camp to Hail (372 km), and stage 6 on Jan. 9 from Hail to Riyadh (336 km).
Jan. 10 will be a rest day for the competitors in Riyadh.
Action continues Jan. 11 with stage 7 from Riyadh to Wadi Al-Dawasir (462 km), followed by stage 8 on Jan. 12 in Wadi Al-Dawasir (481 km). Stage 9 will run on Jan. 13 January toward the Marathon Camp (410 km). The rally moves on to stage 10 on Jan. 14 from the Marathon Camp to Bisha (421 km), then stage 11 on Jan. 15 from Bisha to Al-Hanakiyah (347 km).
Stage 12 follows on Jan. 16 January from Al-Hanakiyah to Yanbu (310 km), before the event concludes with the 13th and final stage in Yanbu on Jan. 17, covering 105 km.
All distances listed refer to timed special stages.
