New York, July 7 (IANS) Aymeric Laporte and Cristiano Ronaldo experienced contrasting emotions after Spain eliminated Portugal from the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Monday.While Ronaldo left the field in tears following Portugal’s exit in the Round of 16, Laporte was all smiles after helping Spain book a place in the quarterfinals while extending one of the tournament’s most remarkable defensive records.Laporte spent two years alongside Ronaldo at Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr between 2023 and 2025 before r…
Latest Athletic Club News & Updates
Liverpool, June 5 (IANS) New Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola said he is ‘ready for the challenge’ of leading one of world football’s biggest clubs after being appointed as the successor to Arne Slot ahead of the 2026-27 season. The 43-year-old Spaniard arrives at Anfield following a successful three-year spell with Bournemouth, where he guided the club to a historic sixth-place Premier League finish and qualification for European competition for the first time in their history.Speaking to…
Madrid, May 24 (IANS) The 2025-26 La Liga season ended Saturday night with Barcelona champion, Real Madrid second and Oviedo, Mallorca and Girona relegated to the second tier. Some clubs can look back with satisfaction, while others face an uncomfortable summer. Here are the end-of-term marks in Spain’s top flightFC Barcelona finished top of the class, with Hansi Flick’s side recovering from a slow start, perhaps affected by the loss of defender Inigo Martinez to Saudi Arabia, to dominate the co…
Madrid, May 12 (IANS) Spain coach Luis de la Fuente on Tuesday expressed confidence that winger Nico Williams would recover in time for the World Cup finals despite suffering a hamstring injury at the weekend. Williams had to be helped off the pitch during the first half of Athletic Club’s 1-0 home defeat to Valencia on Sunday, with tests on Monday confirming a moderate injury to his left hamstring.The injury rules the 23-year-old out for the remainder of Athletic’s domestic season, but speaking…
Madrid, May 12 (IANS) Already-crowned La Liga champions FC Barcelona will travel to face Deportivo Alavés on Wednesday in a crucial match at the bottom end of the table. While Barcelona have already secured the league title, Alaves are desperately fighting to avoid relegation.Alaves currently sit third from bottom in the standings and are two points behind 17th-placed RCD Espanyol. A defeat or even a draw could leave them stuck in the relegation zone at the end of the round, making this a must-…
Madrid, May 4 (IANS) Vinicius Junior scored twice as Real Madrid won 2-0 away to Espanyol, delaying FC Barcelona’s La Liga title celebrations.Anything other than a Madrid win at the RCDE Stadium would have confirmed Barcelona as champion with four games remaining, but the title race now looks set to be decided in next weekend’s Clasico.Madrid remains 11 points behind Barcelona with 12 points still to play for, meaning a draw for Barcelona at Camp Nou next week would secure a second title in two …
Madrid, April 30 (IANS) The La Liga title race could be almost decided this weekend. Fans could see FC Barcelona crowned champions, while the battle for Champions League spots and the fight to avoid relegation also reached crucial stages. Several teams are playing for high stakes, making it a defining round in Spain’s top football league.FC Barcelona will win the title if they beat Osasuna on Saturday and Real Madrid loses to Espanyol on Sunday.Barcelona will play without young star Lamine Yam…
Madrid, April 24 (IANS) Villarreal strengthened its hold on third place in La Liga with a 1-1 draw away to bottom side Oviedo, which produced another battling display but remains six points from safety.Nicolas Pepe put Villarreal ahead with a retaken penalty after Oviedo goalkeeper Aaron Escandell had saved his first effort, but Ilyas Chaira leveled in the 68th minute after a smart assist from Alberto Reina.Ayoze Perez hit the woodwork for Villarreal in the closing minutes, but the draw still le…
Madrid, April 22 (IANS) FC Barcelona beat Celta Vigo 1-0 at home to restore a nine-point lead over Real Madrid at the top of La Liga, but was forced to work hard for the win and lost Lamine Yamal to a hamstring injury.With just six games to go, Barca are brilliantly poised to win a 29th Liga title, but nothing is decided yet. There are still games to be won before that becomes sure.Celta caused problems on the counterattack in the first half, but Barcelona took the lead when Yamal weaved through…
Madrid, April 22 (IANS) La Liga closes its midweek round of matches on Thursday with three games that are vital for the struggle to avoid relegation. Bottom side Oviedo hosts third-placed Villarreal, whose coach Marcelino Garca Toral is yet to extend his contract despite an excellent season in La Liga. Oviedo’s survival hopes remain intact after consecutive wins against Sevilla and Celta Vigo, but the club is still six points from safety with just seven games to play, and is reaching the point w…