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Real Madrid title hopes dented at Girona in third straight draw | The Express Tribune

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Real Madrid title hopes dented at Girona in third straight draw | The Express Tribune


Ounahi gave Girona the lead before half-time, but Mbappe equalised from the penalty spot

French forward Kylian Mbappe earned Real Madrid a point from the penalty spot. Photo: AFP


BARCELONA:

Real Madrid were held to a third consecutive La Liga draw in a 1-1 tie at Girona on Sunday, allowing Barcelona to retain pole position.

Azzedine Ounahi fired the hosts into a surprise lead before half-time, with Kylian Mbappe earning Madrid a point from the penalty spot.

After Barcelona beat Alaves on Saturday to move top of the table, Madrid needed a victory at Girona to reclaim top spot but now sit second, a point behind the champions.

Earlier Alberto Moleiro helped Villarreal, third, move back ahead of fourth-place Atletico Madrid with a stoppage time winner in a 3-2 victory at Real Sociedad.

Real Madrid’s draw increases the pressure on Madrid coach Xabi Alonso, after recent rumours suggesting his future is insecure in the Madrid dugout.

“We are up there, it’s all very even, it’s a long season and we have to continue,” Alonso told reporters.

“I liked the reaction from the players. It was not enough to turn it around but we were close, and we have to continue with the unity we have, being self-critical enough, and wanting to win away from home.”

Madrid travel to face Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday for a fourth consecutive league match on the road, a game moved because of the club’s participation in the Spanish Super Cup in January.

“The table will be hard-fought, there will be lots of movement,” added Alonso.

Mbappe and Arda Guler fired off target for Madrid early on in a hotly-contested but scrappy clash, in front of a raucous home crowd.

French superstar Mbappe had a goal ruled out for handball moments before Morocco international Ounahi fired Girona ahead, rifling home from just inside the area to stun their illustrious visitors.

Catalan minnows Girona, 18th, have twice beaten Real Madrid at Montilivi since making their top flight debut in 2017 and for a while it looked like they were going to manage it again.

Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois made a stunning save to tip away Vanat’s drive across goal before Los Blancos fought back.

After having a goal disallowed for offside Vinicius was clumsily felled in the box by Hugo Rincon.

Mbappe smashed the resulting penalty into the bottom left corner past Gazzaniga’s dive for his 14th La Liga goal of the campaign.

“Absolutely not the result we wanted tonight, but the league is still on and very long,” wrote Mbappe on social media network Instagram.

“We need to change this dynamic and show who we are as a team.”

Keeping the pressure on 

Villarreal playmaker Moleiro netted twice in the second half of a thrilling game in San Sebastian.

Villarreal secured their fifth consecutive league win to stay firmly in the Spanish title fight.

Ayoze Perez sent the visitors ahead midway through the first half and teed up Moleiro for Villarreal’s second soon after the break.

Real Sociedad fought back strongly, with Carlos Soler netting on the hour mark.

The Basque side ramped up the pressure and levelled in the final stages through a spectacular Ander Barrenetxea free-kick.

However, Moleiro had the final say, firing home in the 95th minute to maintain his team’s momentum.

“We had that little bit of luck to get three very important points, as important as they were difficult (to get),” said Marcelino.

“To get 32 points out of a possible 42 to me seems a stunning achievement.”

Elsewhere, Real Betis claimed a 2-0 win at Sevilla in a fiery derby clash which was briefly suspended after home fans threw bottles onto the pitch.

The referee ordered players from the field in the 87th minute at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan stadium, with the match resuming 15 minutes later as Betis held on to fifth place.



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WWE WrestleMania 42 Night 2: Live match results and analysis

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WWE WrestleMania 42 Night 2: Live match results and analysis


After a massive night of high-flying moments and title changes on Night 1, the WrestleMania 42 action continues on Night 2 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

Two of the biggest superstars on the roster, literally, square off in the first match of the night, as “The Ruler” Oba Femi attempts to slay “The Beast” Brock Lesnar. Also on the card is a six-man ladder match for the men’s Intercontinental Championship, and a pair of singles matches for the United States Championship and the WWE Women’s Championship.

In the main event, CM Punk puts the World Heavyweight Championship on the line against Roman Reigns.

Follow along with every moment of WrestleMania Night 2.




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Chuck Schumer calls on FIFA to cover $150 NJ Transit fares for World Cup fans heading to MetLife Stadium

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Chuck Schumer calls on FIFA to cover 0 NJ Transit fares for World Cup fans heading to MetLife Stadium


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Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., has called for FIFA to cover the full rail cost for New Yorkers attending the World Cup, as NJ Transit train ticket prices are set for $150 to get to MetLife Stadium for matches.

Schumer released a statement on Sunday, calling on FIFA to pay the full fair, which is astronomically higher than the regular cost to travel from Penn Station to the Meadowlands, while understanding that “FIFA is set to rake in approximately $11 billion in revenue off the tournament while New York fans are being hit with $150 NJ Transit round-trip tickets to get to the game.”

MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, will host eight matches during the World Cup, including the final on July 19. The usual price is $12.90 for the Meadowlands train from Penn Station, but it will rise to $150 beginning June 13 and ending July 19. There will also be shuttles available worth $80.

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Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat from New York, during a news conference following the weekly Senate Democrat policy luncheon at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, US, on Tuesday, March 17, 2026. (Graeme Sloan/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

NJ Transit CEO Kirs Kolluri defended the fare hikes on Friday, saying the ultimate cost to the company shouldn’t burden New Jersey commuters.

“It is an exciting moment for New Jersey to showcase New Jersey’s diversity as well as its economic standing in the country and in the world. Equally important, (Gov. Mikie Sherrill) has said that New Jersey commuters cannot and will not subsidize the movement of fans going to the game, because that would not be fair,” Kolluri said, reiterating that the tournament will cost NJ Transit $48 million.

Penn Station is also scheduled to be partially closed for up to four hours before each World Cup match, which will obviously disrupt regular commuters and travelers eight times during the tournament.

NEW JERSEY GOV MIKIE SHERRILL RIPS FIFA AFTER REPORTS THAT NJ TRANSIT TICKETS TO WORLD CUP WILL BE OVER $100

Schumer argues it’s unfair for New Yorkers to have to deal with the price hike, especially considering FIFA is eliminating parking at MetLife Stadium. Also, parking at nearby American Dream mall is approximately $225, while walking access is being prohibited as well.

In turn, mass transit is “effectively the only way in or out of the stadium on match days,” Schumer’s statement read. But Schumer isn’t lambasting NJ Transit — he understands the financials the company has to deal with.

It’s FIFA he’s pointing the finger at for not helping with the cost.

“The total NJ Transit operation to move fans to and from MetLife is projected to cost $62 million, with approximately $11 million dedicated to security alone. The federal government is contributing $10.6 million and the NY/NJ Host Committee is contributing just over $3 million, leaving NJ Transit to foot a $48 million bill with zero financial contribution from FIFA.

“Meanwhile, FIFA has told other host cities they can offer fans mass rail for as little as $2.50 round trip, a fraction of what New York fans are being charged.”

A general view of MetLife Stadium and Meadowlands Train Station

A general view of MetLife Stadium and the Meadowlands Train Station is seen from a NJ Transit train before the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 semi-final match between Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on July 9, 2025. (Luke Hales/Getty Images)

Schumer added that, “Charging more than eleven times the normal fare for a train ride is a ripoff, plain and simple.”

FIFA’s budgeted revenue for the 2023 to 2026 cycle is approximately $11 billion, which marks a 71% increase over the previous cycle. It also marks the most lucrative World Cup in the tournament’s history.

Schumer’s statement also pointed out ticket prices for match-goers are around $700 for the group stage, and the final at MetLife Stadium is as high as $10,000 to get into the door under FIFA’s dynamic pricing model.

“We are carrying more fans, more riders, and more disruption than any other region in this tournament,” Schumer added. “FIFA needs to step up accordingly. Past practice does not cut it when you are eliminating parking, shutting down Penn Station, and forcing every fan onto one transit system. FIFA should cover the ride, not stick New York fans with the bill.”

FIFA may not have historically contributed to public transportation costs in previous tournaments, but Schumer argues New York and New Jersey isn’t every other host region. It’s the most densely populated area in the country, and it will be host to eight matches.

Kolluri also noted that, if the regular $12.90 fare were to stay in place, the $48 million bill for NJ Transit would be subsidized for commuters by 92%.

“No one that I have spoken to thinks that’s fair or reasonable. Commuters in New Jersey should not carry the cost years into the future for a wonderful event, no doubt. But the fans going to the games should burden the cost. That’s all we’re trying to say,” Kolluri said.

NJ Transit CEO Kris Kolluri speaking with Alex Lasry at a press briefing in Newark, New Jersey

NJ Transit CEO Kris Kolluri and Alex Lasry, CEO of the 2026 FIFA World Cup New York New Jersey Host Committee, speak during a press briefing on the regional mobility plan for the World Cup in Newark, New Jersey, on April 17, 2026. (Charly Triballeau/AFP via Getty Images)

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With the plan now officially in place, FIFA World Cup COO Heimo Schirgi issued the following statement to Fox News Digital:

“Ever since the host city agreements were signed in 2018, FIFA has worked in collaboration with the Host Committees and their partners to develop a transportation plan that provides efficient and accessible mass transit options for ticketed fans attending the eight matches at NY NJ Stadium. The goal is to minimize congestion, reduce reliance on private vehicles, and ensure the fan experience is positive and memorable, defined by the action on pitch, not delays on the roads.

“The NJ Transit current pricing model will have a chilling effect. Elevated fares inevitably push fans toward alternative transportation options. This increases concerns of congestion, late arrivals, and creates broader ripple effects that ultimately diminish the economic benefit and lasting legacy the entire region stands to gain from hosting the World Cup.”

Fox News’ Ryan Morik contributed to this report.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.





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NCAA men’s gymnastics championship: All-time winners list

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NCAA men’s gymnastics championship: All-time winners list


Stanford emerged victorious in the 2026 NCAA men’s gymnastics championships, taking home their tenth program title.

Penn State and Oklahoma share the record for the most NCAA men’s gymnastics championships, with 12 apiece.

Here’s a look at every national champion in NCAA men’s gymnastics:

  • 2015: Oklahoma

  • 2014: Michigan

  • 2013: Michigan

  • 2012: Illinois

  • 2011: Stanford

  • 2010: Michigan

  • 2009: Stanford

  • 2008: Oklahoma

  • 2007: Penn State

  • 2006: Oklahoma

  • 2005: Oklahoma

  • 2004: Penn State

  • 2003: Oklahoma

  • 2002: Oklahoma

  • 2001: Ohio State

  • 2000: Penn State

  • 1999: Michigan

  • 1998: California

  • 1997: California

  • 1996: Ohio State

  • 1995: Stanford

  • 1994: Nebraska

  • 1993: Stanford

  • 1992: Stanford

  • 1991: Oklahoma

  • 1990: Nebraska

  • 1989: Illinois

  • 1988: Nebraska

  • 1987: UCLA

  • 1986: Arizona State

  • 1985: Ohio State

  • 1984: UCLA

  • 1983: Nebraska

  • 1982: Nebraska

  • 1981: Nebraska

  • 1980: Nebraska

  • 1979: Nebraska

  • 1978: Oklahoma

  • 1977: Indiana State/Oklahoma

  • 1976: Penn State

  • 1975: California

  • 1974: Iowa State

  • 1973: Iowa State

  • 1972: Southern Illinois

  • 1971: Iowa State

  • 1970: Michigan

  • 1969: Iowa

  • 1968: California

  • 1967: Southern Illinois

  • 1966: Southern Illinois

  • 1965: Penn State

  • 1964: Southern Illinois

  • 1963: Michigan

  • 1962: Southern California

  • 1961: Penn State

  • 1960: Penn State

  • 1959: Penn State

  • 1958: Michigan State/Illinois

  • 1957: Penn State

  • 1956: Illinois

  • 1955: Illinois

  • 1954: Penn State

  • 1953: Penn State

  • 1952: Florida State

  • 1951: Florida State

  • 1950: Illinois

  • 1949: Temple

  • 1948: Penn State

  • 1942: Illinois

  • 1941: Illinois

  • 1940: Illinois

  • 1939: Illinois

  • 1938: Chicago

Check out the ESPN college sports page for the latest news on your favorite NCAA athletes and events.



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