Sports
Barcelona deny Madrid another trophy, but the gap is closing
Misa Rodríguez stood, hands on hips, as Alexia Putellas wheeled away in celebration.
The Real Madrid goalkeeper had done everything she possibly could to keep her team in Saturday’s Spanish Supercopa final in Castellón. She had faced 18 shots from Barcelona — 12 of them on target — and dealt with almost all of them.
Still, it wasn’t enough. In added time, Putellas sent Rodriguez the wrong way from the penalty spot, and the game was decided decisively, 2-0 in Barça’s favour.
The two-time Ballon d’Or winner was soon mobbed by teammates, bouncing up and down by the touchline. It was a familiar feeling. Barça were on the way to winning their sixth Supercopa, and their fifth in a row, a clean sweep since 2022.
– Keogh: Did Arsenal just end the Women’s Super League title race?
– Trinity Rodman’s record NWSL deal: What it means for her and the league
– Thakur: Who are the top performers in Europe’s major women’s leagues?
Madrid’s wait for a first trophy goes on. The team were only formed in 2020, but they are hungry, starving, for silverware. This time at the Estadio Castalia, Rodriguez and her teammates were left to reflect on just how close they had come.
“It makes us angry, not so much thinking about their two goals — which is something we have to improve and work on — but because those good feelings don’t give us the Supercopa,” Madrid coach Pau Quesada said afterwards.
“In football, good feelings help you build, but in the end, what matters is winning. We didn’t do that today, and we have to go home angry. But we’re aware that the players gave everything.”
Madrid had pushed Barcelona, closer than they had in last year’s Supercopa final, which Barça won 5-0, and perhaps closer than in any of their previous 20 meetings to date. But victory had eluded them.
There is no doubt that the distance between the two sides is closing. Madrid got their first, historic win in the fixture earlier less than 12 months ago, beating Barça 3-1 in front of a stunned 35,000 crowd at Montjuic on March 23, 2025. It was a breakthrough, after 18 straight losses.
It felt like a before-and-after moment, which might have served as a catalyst for Madrid to build on. The feeling of a narrowing gap was aided by Barcelona’s cost-cutting transfer business last summer, trimming and weakening their squad.
The 2025-26 season presented an opportunity for Madrid. And so far, they haven’t taken it. In Liga F, Madrid are 10 points behind Barça, with 17 matches played. They’ve already lost three league games this season — more than in all of 2024-25 — including 4-0 when the teams met in November.
For a club which defines itself by trophies won, the wait to lift the first continues. Madrid have played three finals now: in the 2023 Copa de la Reina, and two Supercopas, in 2025 and now 2026.
The Copa de la Reina final might have been the most painful, losing on penalties to Atlético Madrid. Last season’s Supercopa final was no contest, with Barça comfortable winners.
Saturday’s game was a different story. Esmee Brugts put Barcelona ahead in the 28th minute from a set piece, her near-post header from Mapi Leon‘s corner. But after that, Madrid’s defence — and Misa — stood firm.
In the 58th minute, forward Ewa Pajor was one-on-one with the keeper, who beat away her shot. Caroline Graham Hansen headed her follow-up against the crossbar.
It was only in the 93rd minute when Putellas’ penalty made it 2-0. Barcelona had had much more possession — 67% to Madrid’s 33% — and 12 shots on target to Madrid’s one. But Madrid had competed until the end.
“It was a great game, worthy of a final, from both teams,” Barcelona’s MVP, midfielder Patri Guijarro, said.
Madrid’s attention will now turn to the UEFA Women’s Champions League. Their group stage ended in disappointment, missing out on a top four spot after failing to win three of their last four games, including a 1-1 draw at FC Twente in December on matchday six.
They now face a playoff with Paris FC, who they met in the group stage, drawing 1-1 in Madrid. After next month’s two-legged playoff, the winners will progress to the Champions League quarterfinals: to play Barcelona.
Barça’s European pedigree — three-time Champions League winners, and six-time finalists — is something Madrid can’t yet hope to come close to matching in the women’s game.
But this Supercopa final suggested that if the pair do meet in Europe in March, Madrid are now in a position to compete, whether it’s over 90 minutes or 180.
That’s not the extent of their ambition; but it’s progress.
Today is a very important and decisive clash between India and Pakistan to reach the semi-finals in the Under-19 World Cup 2026.
This important match will be played today, Sunday, in Zimbabwe, which will start at 12:30 pm according to Pakistani time and 1 pm according to Indian time.
This match is the last match of the Super Six stage and one team is yet to be decided for the semi-finals, England from Group 2 has already qualified for the semi-finals, while the other team will be India or Pakistan.
India is currently in a better position with six points and its net run rate is 3.337, it is very easy for India, it only has to win the match and it will qualify for the semi-finals.
But on the other hand, Pakistan has four points and its net run rate is 1.484, which is significantly lower than India. Pakistan not only needs to win this match but also by a large margin to equal India in points and also surpass them in net run rate.
If Pakistan scores 300 runs batting first, it will need to win by at least 85 runs. If Pakistan bowls first and restricts India to around 200 runs, the target will have to be achieved in 31.5 overs.
If India scores 251 runs, Pakistan will have to achieve this target in around 33.2 overs to make it to the semi-finals.
It should be noted that this match will not be just about winning or losing but will be a test of runs, overs and nerves where a small slip-up can knock one team out of the World Cup.
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The judge in Alabama men’s basketball player Charles Bediako‘s eligibility lawsuit against the NCAA has recused himself from the case.
Tuscaloosa Circuit Court Judge James Roberts filed the order Wednesday, according to court documents. AL.com first reported Roberts’ recusal.
The case was reassigned to Judge Daniel Pruet, an Alabama graduate who is overseeing the murder case involving former Crimson Tide player Darius Miles.
The NCAA filed a motion for recusal Tuesday, noting Roberts’ donations to the university as well as public perception that his relationship with Alabama athletics could alter his judgment in the case. Roberts was listed as a donor on the Crimson Tide Foundation’s website.
“Courts in Alabama and beyond have widely recognized that a mere appearance of partiality is sufficient to require the recusal of a trial judge,” the NCAA wrote. “This appearance can be compounded by widespread media and public scrutiny questioning the trial court’s impartiality. Despite the NCAA’s confidence that the Court can disregard his connections to the University of Alabama and its athletics programs, recusal is still necessary to protect these proceedings from an appearance of impropriety.”
Bediako’s attorneys did not oppose the motion.
Bediako is suing the NCAA in an attempt to regain college eligibility despite leaving school and entering the 2023 NBA draft. He went undrafted but signed a two-way NBA contract and played the past three seasons in the G League. Roberts granted a temporary restraining order last week that allows Bediako to play for the Crimson Tide, at least until a hearing on an injunction can be held.
No. 23 Alabama plays at No. 19 Florida on Sunday.
The NCAA and several college coaches, including Florida’s Todd Golden, have strongly opposed Bediako’s return to college basketball.
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Cleveland Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson was fined $50,000 for “aggressively pursuing, berating and making inadvertent contact with a game official,” the NBA announced Saturday.
The league’s announcement said the incident happened with 10:59 left in the fourth quarter of Cleveland’s 126-113 loss to the Phoenix Suns Friday.
Atkinson was assessed his second technical foul of the game when he stormed the court after a no-call against Sam Merrill for driving on Collin Gillespie after he bumped into an official before being escorted off and ejected from the game.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson reacts during the second half in Game 4 of a first-round playoff series against the Miami Heat April 28, 2025, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rhona Wise)
Atkinson whipped his arm against the nearby referee before the whistle was blown.
Atkinson ripped the officials in a postgame news conference.
PGA TOUR STAR JUSTIN THOMAS RIPS NCAA FOR CURRENT STATE OF COLLEGE SPORTS
Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson reacts in the first quarter against the Indiana Pacers during Game 2 of the second round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena in Cleveland May 6, 2025. (David Richard-Imagn Images)
“We had one free throw after three quarters against a team that [is 26th in fouls],” Atkinson said. “And the second free throw we got was after a flop. I’m not pleased. I thought the game got out of hand, quite honestly. Parts of the game seemed circus-like, quite honestly. I don’t know if that’s what we want as a league.
“Certain characters in this league take liberties, and we don’t stand up to them. And the game turns into reviews, challenges, go to the monitor for 20 minutes when we’re just trying to play basketball. I don’t think it’s good for the league, and I know it wasn’t good for us tonight. Thought they let the game get out of hand.”
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson reacts during the first half against the Indiana Pacers in Game 1 of the second round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena in Cleveland May 4, 2025. (Ken Blaze-Imagn Images)
The Cavaliers fell to 29-21, while Phoenix improved to 30-19.
Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Budget 2026 Live Updates: TCS On Overseas Tour Packages Slashed To 2%; TDS On Education LRS Eased
Trump says India will buy oil from Venezuela, not Iran
Budget 2026: Cabinet gives green signal to Union Budget 2026–27
-
Business1 week agoSuccess Story: This IITian Failed 17 Times Before Building A ₹40,000 Crore Giant
-
Fashion1 week agoSouth Korea tilts sourcing towards China as apparel imports shift
-
Sports1 week agoTransfer rumors, news: Saudi league eyes Salah, Vinícius Jr. plus 50 more
-
Sports5 days agoPSL 11: Local players’ category renewals unveiled ahead of auction
-
Entertainment1 week agoThree dead after suicide blast targets peace committee leader’s home in DI Khan
-
Sports1 week agoWanted Olympian-turned-fugitive Ryan Wedding in custody, sources say
-
Tech1 week agoStrap One of Our Favorite Action Cameras to Your Helmet or a Floaty
-
Tech1 week agoThis Mega Snowstorm Will Be a Test for the US Supply Chain